Country / Region profile of: Austria

With significant legal protections under the Equal Treatment Law of 1979, Austrian women can expect equal treatment in addition to the guarantee of equal rights. Though a member of the alliance fighting alongside the United States and the United Kingdom in Afghanistan, Austria has not had significant involvement in many conflicts since the end of World War II. In spite of the lack of conflict, women in Austria still face a steep gender wage gap that makes women economically vulnerable. Austria ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1982. Currently, Austria is ranked number 52 of 144 on the Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) for 2016. Austria ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 3 June 2014. During the 2015 October Security Council Open Debate, Austria gave a statement affirming support for WPS but made no specific commitments towards the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and the WPS Agenda holistically. In its statement during the High-Level Review of Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) of October 2014, Austria committed "to integrate concrete results at the policy level concerning the earmarking of at least 15% of all Austrian Development Cooperation peacebuilding spending for programs and projects to further Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality." Austria did not participate in the 2016 WPS open debate. Women in Austria are still working to ensure that their equality under the law is reflected across society.