Universal Periodic Review

Adopt comprehensive measures to prevent, combat and punish all forms of violence against women, strengthen the protection and assistance offered to victims of such violence, and prosecute all crimes aimed at women and girls, including refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls

Proponent:

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

Austria therefore lacks a comprehensive, long-term strategy to protect women from violence, although responsibility is shared between the federal and state governments. The provinces fund women’s shelters and counselling centres in particular, while the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Chancellery are active at federal level. The Austrian women’s organisations point out that violence against women, including femicide and domestic violence, is still reaching alarming proportions. In this critical situation, political, legal and financial measures that go beyond the current measures are required to effectively combat violence against women.   As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the Federal Government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html).In August 2023, the ACA published the report „Violence and Victim Protection for Women“, which identifies potential for the effective protection of women affected by violence. The ACA identifies shortcomings in strategic planning and recommends a coordinated joint strategy between the federal ministries and the federal states (Gewalt- und Opferschutz für Frauen, BUND 2023/21: https://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/rh/home/home/2023_21_Gewalt_und_Opferschutz_Frauen.pdf).   The 2021 Violence Protection Package aims to protect women at risk and improve the financial framework. Among other things, preventive measures and awareness-raising are to be emphasised more strongly (see https://bmi.gv.at/magazin/2022_01_02/Gewaltschutz.aspx). The Austrian women’s organisations point out that violence against women, including femicide and domestic violence, is still reaching alarming proportions. In this critical situation, political, legal and financial measures that go beyond the current measures are needed to effectively combat violence against women.   As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the Federal Government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html). Austria lacks a comprehensive, long-term strategy to protect women from violence, although responsibility is shared between the federal and state governments. The provinces fund women’s shelters and counselling centres in particular, while the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Chancellery are active at federal level. The Court of Audit highlights shortcomings in strategic planning and recommends a coordinated joint strategy between the federal ministries and the federal states (Gewalt- und Opferschutz für Frauen, BUND 2023/21: https://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/rh/home/home/2023_21_Gewalt_und_Opferschutz_Frauen.pdf). It appears that the financial resources remain insufficient.  As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is pursuing this goal through close cooperation with all stakeholders (see Government Plan 2ß025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html).