The VSStÖ is a feminist and anti-sexist organisation that campaigns for equal rights for FLINTA* people. Women still earn around a quarter less than men and are more affected by poverty and violence. Feminism means campaigning for equal rights for FLINTA* in education, work, politics and business and actively breaking down binary, gender-specific role models.
FLINTA* what?
We write FLINTA* as women, lesbians, inter, non-binary, trans, agender people, because the term can highlight different ways of being affected by and the logic of patriarchal structures of devaluation and oppression that are linked to binary gender relations.
We do not accept discrimination against FLINTA*. That is why we are campaigning against the glass ceiling, the pay gap, sexist attacks and violence against FLINTA* both inside and outside university structures.
Would you like to discuss feminism with us, attend a meeting of the VSStÖ women’s or FLINTA* group at your university or would you like more information?
Then get in touch with us at: vsstoe@vsstoe.at
FLINTA* to the universities! FLINTA* in technology!
More than 150 years after the beginning of what was then a predominantly bourgeois women’s movement and more than 100 years after the first woman was admitted to an Austrian university, the structural discrimination against FLINTA* is still reflected at universities.
While 55% of all students are female, the figure at technical universities in Austria is only around 30%. Depending on the degree programme and duration of study, however, this percentage is still shrinking significantly.
This discrimination is particularly evident in the upper hierarchies of universities. Women make up just 40% of professors, and less than a third of rectors at public universities. The 40% share of female lecturers at Austrian universities shrinks to around a quarter if only the technical universities are considered.
We finally need more than just lip service. We demand real FLINTA* funding at universities!
Even in the 21st century, we are still a long way from complete and genuine gender equality in Austria. Patriarchal structures are still deeply rooted in our society and are reflected in various forms at universities.
We would like to see a space in which all people have the same opportunities and possibilities, regardless of which gender they feel they belong to.
What do we have in mind?
A fight against reactionary world views!
Students must be encouraged to recognise patriarchal, structural and institutionalised injustices. This also includes combating all forms of discrimination.
As a further step, we believe that mandatory sensitisation training for all teaching staff is essential. Only if students AND teachers can understand and name patriarchal social conditions can the university become a safe place for everyone.
On average, women still earn less than men – for the same work or work of equal value. Women have been fighting for equal pay for over 100 years. A goal that has not yet been achieved.
We emphasise this problem every year on Equal Pay Day. With campaigns at various universities, we raise awareness of the fact that from Equal Pay Day, FLINTA* statistically work for free until the end of the year. In 2022, the nationwide Equal Pay Day was on 30 October – this means that FLINTA* worked for free for two whole months last year and men earn on average just as much as FLINTA* for the whole year due to the income gap until Equal Pay Day.
We demand a revaluation of the work of FLINTA*!
To this day, FLINTA* in Austria perform the majority of unpaid work and spend about twice as much time per day doing reproductive work, housework, childcare, etc. as cis men.
In addition, female-dominated professions are still underpaid and there is also unfair pay within the same professions: There is also unfair pay within the same professions. Pay inequalities based on gender must come to an end!
The leaky pipeline describes the phenomenon that the higher the position, the lower the proportion of women and even lower the proportion of FLINTA*. It is therefore necessary to implement active FLINTA* promotion.
Our understanding of feminism is intersectional. This means that we not only campaign for equal rights, but also fight against discrimination and oppression. As VSStÖ, we are aware that people are sometimes not only discriminated against on the basis of one characteristic, but that there are overlaps and interactions between different forms of discrimination from which people suffer. We actively listen to those affected in order to recognise and jointly combat mechanisms of oppression.
Feminism is necessary in all areas of life. Only if all forms of discrimination are combated can we achieve an equal society!
A femi(ni)cide is committed in Austria at least every fortnight. Femi(ni)cides are gendered murders, i.e. murders of FLINTA* people because of their gender. Femi(ni)cides are the pinnacle and an expression of patriarchal, hierarchical gender relations, which begin long before that.
We need to talk about the fact that physical and psychological violence are not normal in partner relationships, that this violence forces people into a binary two-gender system and that the patriarchal system ensures that men commit a femi(ni)cide every fortnight.
When we talk about patriarchal violence, femi(ni)cide is not the only symptom that has an impact on society, but it is the tip. Patriarchal violence also serves, among other things, the exploitation of FLINTA*, racism, heteronormative gender binaries and forms of discrimination that people are confronted with on a daily basis.
Every year on 25 November (Day against Violence), the international campaign “16 Days against Patriarchal Violence” is launched to draw attention to a non-violent life and structural oppression. As the VSStÖ, we use the 16 days against patriarchal violence to carry out educational work, further feminist training and create awareness. The 16 days end on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
Women’s helpline against violence:
0800 222 555
www.frauenhelpline.at
Women advise women:
01 / 587 67 50 (Mon + Wed 9.30am – 12.30pm, Tue + Thu 1pm – 4pm)
https://frauenberatenfrauen.beranet.info/
HelpCh@at:
Online daily from 3 to 10 pm
www.haltdergewalt.at