Women’s Day Austria
Women’s Right to Vote in Austria
November 12, (1918)

Number of female heads of state to date: 3

Women’s Day Austria, Women’s Right to Vote, Women’s Suffrage
Women in Vienna voting for the National Constituent Assembly in February 1919

The women’s right to vote in Austria has a history that spans several decades, with significant milestones achieved in the early 20th century.

The suffrage movement in Austria gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as women began advocating for equal political rights. Women’s organizations and activists played a crucial role in raising awareness about gender equality and the importance of women’s political participation.

In 1918, following the end of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the First Austrian Republic was established. The new constitution, adopted in 1919, granted women in Austria the right to vote and stand for election on equal terms with men. This marked a significant step forward for women’s rights and political empowerment in the country.

With the right to vote, Austrian women actively participated in the political process, casting their ballots and engaging in political activities. They contributed to shaping the political landscape and advocating for their rights and interests.

However, the period of authoritarian rule under the Austrofascist regime (1934-1938) and the subsequent annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany brought setbacks for women’s rights. The Nazis propagated traditional gender roles and sought to restrict women’s involvement in public and political life.

After World War II, Austria underwent a process of reconstruction and political transformation. The Second Austrian Republic, established in 1945, reaffirmed women’s right to vote and ensured their equal participation in the democratic process.

Efforts have been made in Austria to promote gender equality and increase women’s political representation. Policies and initiatives have been implemented to address gender disparities, encourage women’s participation in politics, and support their leadership development.

Gender quotas have been introduced in Austria to promote greater gender balance in politics. Political parties are encouraged to include a certain percentage of women on their candidate lists, aiming to increase women’s representation in elected positions.

Today, women in Austria actively participate in politics at various levels, including the federal and state parliaments, local councils, and European institutions. Austria has had female federal ministers and state governors, highlighting women’s leadership and political contributions.

While progress has been made, challenges remain in achieving full gender equality in politics. Women’s representation in some areas, particularly at the highest levels of political leadership, is still relatively low. Ongoing efforts are necessary to address barriers, promote women’s political participation, and create an inclusive political environment.

The women’s right to vote in Austria represents a significant achievement in the country’s democratic development and reflects the recognition of women as equal citizens. It underscores the importance of women’s active participation in the political process and the ongoing work toward achieving gender equality in Austrian politics and society as a whole.

Women’s Suffrage in Austria: An Overview

By Hannes Richter
The roots of women’s suffrage movement in general can be found in the 18th century: Olympe de Gouges, widely regarded as being the first champion of female suffrage, published her declaration of rights of the woman and the female citizen (Déclaration des droits de la femme et de la citoyenne) after the French Revolution in 1791.

De Gouges was arrested two years later and executed in 1793. During the 19th century, industrialization, urbanization and the corresponding societal changes led to increasing demands for representation and political integration of previously disenfranchised groups, ranging from the bourgeoisie to workers. However, gender equality initially was not part of this bourgeois revolution, despite a few demonstrations by female workers like those taking to the street in Austria in August 1848, protesting a misogynist wage policy.The struggle for the right to vote for women would eventually last for decades and was subject to a variety of factors, including the war economy. The following provides an outline of the history of the women’s vote in Austria.
archive.austria.org/austrianinformation/2015/6/24/womens-suffrage-in-austria-an-overview

Austrian women fighting for women’s rights | Die Welt der Habsburger

With the foundation of the first women’s associations in 1867 there began a battle for equal rights for women which still continues today. Personalities such as Marianne Hainisch and Adelheid Popp fought for women’s rights in education and for female suffrage.

The beginnings of the Austrian women’s movement originated from the events of 1848: the Democratic Women’s Association protested against lower wages for women. Ridiculed by many men, and because the 1867 Law on Assembly and Association denied women membership of explicitly political associations, it was dissolved shortly afterwards. Its spirit re-emerged in new associations that devoted themselves to charitable and educational concerns.
habsburger.net/austrian-women-fighting-womens-rights


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