Implement a national strategy for the prevention and reduction of poverty, which gives priority to the most vulnerable sectors and incorporates the response to the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in the short, medium and long term
Proponent:
The picture of poverty in Austria is varied: 2.3% of the population are currently directly affected by poverty, while 17.3% are considered to be at risk of poverty or marginalisation. However, these estimates do not take into account recent developments such as high inflation and the rising cost of living in 2022/2023, which could place additional burdens on low-income households. The concept of poverty reduction in Austria and globally is based not only on financial indicators, but also on a comprehensive approach that includes education, health and living standards. Goal 1 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals calls for the sustainable eradication of poverty in all its forms, which means that in addition to securing a living income, the focus is also on improving equal opportunities and participation. For Austria, this specifically means ensuring access to basic services such as healthcare and education in addition to material support. Overcoming the current economic challenges therefore requires both short-term measures and long-term strategies in order to reduce social exclusion and sustainably improve the quality of life for all population groups. Children, elderly women, single parents, the long-term unemployed and people without citizenship are particularly at risk. People with chronic illnesses also face considerable challenges, and high housing costs are pushing many people to the brink. More than a fifth of all people at risk of poverty and marginalisation are children (22%, or 353,000 children aged 0-17). More than half of children living in single-parent households are at risk of poverty or exclusion (52%), and 30% of families with at least three children are affected. Among pension recipients, women living alone in particular are affected by poverty at an above-average rate of 28% (see Current poverty figures in Austria: https://www.armutskonferenz.at/armut-in-oesterreich/aktuelle-armuts-und-verteilungszahlen.html). Civil society, including the Poverty Conference, urgently appeals to the need for the following measures to advance the fight against poverty: There is a need for a minimum income that is actually sufficient to lead a decent life; a quality, well-developed social infrastructure that is accessible to all is crucial to improve the quality of life of those affected; a new and innovative labour market and working time policy is needed to create long-term solutions to the problem of poverty; and more and comprehensive political participation opportunities must be created for people affected by poverty and social exclusion. This is crucial if their interests and needs are to be adequately taken into account. These measures are the first and decisive steps in the fight against poverty and social exclusion in Austria (see FAQ on the Poverty Conference website: https://www.armutskonferenz.at/armut-in-oesterreich/faqs-zum-thema-armut.html). The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to far-reaching restrictions on fundamental human and children’s rights in Austria (personal freedom, freedom of movement, education, health, etc.). However, there has been no review of the experiences to date; the federal government announced an analysis process led by the Academy of Sciences in May 2023; however, the involvement of civil society in the process remains unclear. In March 2023, the Austrian Children’s Rights Network, with the support of the Ministry of Social Affairs, published a „Corona Special Report“, which takes a detailed look at the many detrimental consequences of the fight against the pandemic for children (in the areas of civil liberties, information and participation, education, teaching, leisure, mental health, poverty, protection against violence and child rights monitoring) („Children’s Rights and Corona“ special report: here). The LBI-GMR is running two projects in 2023 on crisis management and children’s rights, including a series of workshops with children and young people on their insights from the pandemic (available on the website: https://gmr.lbg.ac.at/forschung/menschenwuerde-und-oeffentliche-sicherheit/). There has been an increase in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the current state of affairs shows that Austria’s measures and resources to combat domestic violence are inadequate. The rising number of cases of domestic violence during the pandemic has been repeatedly addressed by non-governmental organisations. Other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic include an increased suicide rate, including among young people, and a greater need for psychosocial support. The federal government is currently not systematically analysing and investigating the causes. It would be desirable to advance research here, not only to counter the specific effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to be able to design measures in a more human rights-compliant manner in a comparable crisis in the future;
