Despite statistically proven progress in recent years, the presence of women and men in political decision-making positions is still not balanced. Women are still severely underrepresented. On the initiative of the Department for Women and Equality, the 19th round of the political education course is once again taking on the task of motivating women to get involved in politics.
Equality is the challenge
The democratic representation of the population can only be guaranteed if the perspectives, experiences and skills of women are adequately taken into account in political decision-making processes. “Unfortunately, there are countless structural and institutional stumbling blocks for women in politics. Partly it is the incompatibility of political participation and family, some political ‘customs’ or the selection and nomination processes in parties. The challenge is not equal opportunities, but actual equality,” says State Councilor Sara Schaar.
Significant imbalance
The Association of Municipalities reports 2,093 mayors in Austria, 10.6 percent of whom are female. In Carinthia the proportion of women is 7.6 percent. There is also an imbalance in the Carinthian state parliament: out of 36 members of the state parliament, six are women. “Networking and non-partisan exchange are important in order to advance women on equal terms – in accordance with their share of the population – in political mandates and offices,” says Women and Equal Opportunities Commissioner Martina Gabriel.
Voices from local councilors
While Isabella Gelbmann is a local councilor in the market town of Eberndorf, Maria Grabmann is involved in Bad Bleiberg as a local councilor for the environment, social affairs and women.
“It is important to me to work together across party lines. To achieve this, it is crucial to make contacts and network. Unfortunately, we women have some catching up to do in this area. This is the only way we women can become stronger, both in our presence and in political leadership levels.” – Isabella Gelbmann
Grabmann also describes her expectations of the course as “strengthening the role of women in politics and teaching the associated basics”.
Worth knowing
In addition to modules such as legal and financial framework conditions in local politics or PR and public relations, individual coaching, an excursion through the state parliament and themed evenings are offered. This year, alongside other well-known speakers such as political and legal scientist Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle, legal scientist Doris Hattenberger and the head of the Carinthia liaison office in Brussels Martina Rattinger, Antonia Gössinger, former editor-in-chief of the Kleine Zeitung, will be hosting a themed evening entitled “Female politics – an illusion ?” accompany.
2023-10-21 11:16:27
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