Austria Increases Women's Budget to 55 Million Euros per Year – Opposition Criticizes Lack of Structural Reforms

The largest share of the increase – over ten million euros – will flow into women's and girls' counseling centers, which provide around 200,000 counseling sessions annually across Austria. These local points of contact are chronically overburdened, the minister explained. Given that "there are more inquiries than they have staff resources to handle," the increase is necessary, said Holzleitner.

Women's Report 2028: New Data Foundation

In addition, funds from the women's budget will be provided for the StOP program – Neighborhoods without Partner Violence – in the amount of 150,000 euros. The program is intended to specifically address partner violence in neighborhoods in the future. With the extension of the 15a agreement with the federal states, an additional three million euros are available for shelters such as women's shelters, crisis intervention, and legal process assistance.

For the first time since 2010, a comprehensive women's report is being commissioned. The Women's Report 2028 is to provide a gender-differentiated stocktaking on topics such as the labor market, health, violence, and antifeminism. Holzleitner hopes this will provide a "solid data foundation" for further measures. She wants to "counteract antifeminist currents" and provide a comprehensive stocktaking, the minister said in explanation.

Digital Violence and ZARA Funding

The area of digital violence will also be addressed more strongly in the future. The organization ZARA will receive 150,000 euros per year from the Ministry of Women's Affairs for this purpose. The funds are intended to help make digital forms of violence against women more visible and to expand counseling services.

The Equality Ombudsman and the Equality Commission together receive around nine million euros. This is intended to strengthen counseling and proceedings in discrimination matters. Both institutions are central points of contact for equality issues in Austria.

Opposition Criticism

Criticism of the budget increase came from the opposition. Meri Disoski, spokesperson for women's policy, described the increase as insufficient. "This is not progress for women's policy, but whitewashing and simply unjust." More money for violence protection and prevention is positive, Disoski said, but she pointed to structural deficits.

Disoski also criticized the political framing of the budget. "That is the bitter reality" and is also due to the SPÖ, Disoski said. She called for a more fundamental reform of women's policy rather than piecemeal budget increases.

The federal government also justifies the increase with the rising number of violent crimes against women in Austria. The local counseling centers, women's shelters, and process assistance services are central pillars of effective protection. The additional funds are to flow primarily into regions with previously underserved infrastructure.

The StOP program pursues a neighborhood-based approach to preventively combating partner violence. In addition to counseling services, the concept also includes outreach social work and networking with schools, kindergartens, and health facilities. The 150,000 euros will flow into the establishment and expansion of local structures.

Outlook: Budget Period and Next Steps

With the Women's Report 2028, Austria is returning to a tradition that was interrupted in 2010. Comparable reports last provided important data foundations for equality policy. The new survey is to provide findings on wage differences, experiences of violence, and social participation.

The funding of ZARA with 150,000 euros annually targets the growing significance of digital violence. Those affected are primarily younger women who experience online harassment, stalking, or hate comments. ZARA is a counseling center specializing in racism and discrimination.

The budget increase comes in a phase of general budget consolidation. The federal government had previously announced an austerity package amounting to 2.5 billion euros. The prioritization of the women's budget is therefore interpreted by observers as a political signal that equality policy is not up for discussion.

For the upcoming budget period 2027/28, the increase to 55.3 million euros per year is fixed. In total, around 110 million euros will flow into women's policy, violence protection, and equal treatment over the two years. The opposition announced further debates about the use of the funds.

Holzleitner announced that the allocation of funds would be made transparent and that regular reports on their use would be provided. The increase is only the beginning, the minister emphasized. Whether the budget increase will be continued in subsequent years depends on the outcome of future budget negotiations.

The next steps include the adoption of the 2027/28 double budget in the National Council and the preparation of the Women's Report 2028. Initial results of the report are not expected before 2028 at the earliest. Until then, the additional funds are to take immediate effect in the counseling centers and protective facilities.