24. November 2024

Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz launches #Mutfrauen initiative

"On the International Day against Violence against Women and Girls, I would like to talk about courage. Because women have to be courageous every day. Courage to free themselves from domestic violence. Courage to stand up to sexual harassment in the workplace. Courage to stand up for yourself. As a woman and as a people's advocate, I am convinced that we should empower each other more - we can do this immediately and it costs nothing. That's why I'm launching the #couragewomen initiative. I'm putting inspiring women in front of the curtain on my social media channels. To tell them when they have had to be courageous. And to encourage other women to go their own way," says Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz, introducing her campaign, in which courageous women can participate.

"This year, there have already been 26 femicides and 39 cases of serious violence against women. In Austria, every third woman is affected by physical and/or sexual violence. More than one in four women have experienced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace. Support and civil courage are the strongest measures available to each of us to improve this situation," says Gaby Schwarz. The Ombudsman's Office also shows that only a third of complaints come from women. "This also has to do with having the courage to take matters into your own hands. How can women dare to do more - and how have others done it? - My #couragewomen initiative is all about questions like these." Ongoing information and how to get involved on Instagram(@gabyschwarz_official) and LinkedIn (@Gaby Schwarz).

"Women's rights are human rights. And the Austrian Ombudsman Board is the home of human rights in Austria. Every woman has the right to a life free from violence. That's what I stand up for as a woman and as an Ombudswoman," says Gaby Schwarz.

Translation was AI-generated

Picture credits: Austrian Ombudsman Board / Photo Simonis