Women's policy on the move: Minister Holzleitner sets clear goals!

Women's policy on the move: Minister Holzleitner sets clear goals!

on March 6, 2025, before the international Women's Day, the newly appointed Minister of Women, Eva-Maria Holzleitner, presented her clear vision for a future-oriented women's policy in Austria in a press conference. "Yes, I am a feminist," Holzleitner began and presented an ambitious program that focuses on creating real equality. In particular, she wants to strengthen the protection of women against violence by developing concrete measures for a safe life. "Violence against women is a structural problem. We will decisively act against violent offenders and introduce ankle cuffs for high-risk force offenders," she said, as well as the Austrian news portal Sn.at reported.

Holzleitner emphasized that the will had already existed in the government negotiations to improve the situation for women sustainably. Among the planned measures is also a national action plan against violence on women who should take into account all the realities of life of women, including older women and women with disabilities. In addition, the government will implement the so-called Dick-Pic paragraph, which punishes the undesirable sending of porn pictures in order to protect women in digital space, continues Holzleitner. "We save women's rights not only through words, but through powerful acts," says Holzleitner, not only to clarify society in such topics, but also to move to an actual redesign of the existing conditions.

Financial independence and health care

Another central point in Holzleitner's plan is to combat wage inequality between women and men. Women in Austria currently earn around 18 % less per hour, which Holzleitner wants to tackle a system for wage transparency. In the future, companies will be obliged to justify their wage structures, which means that unequal payments should only be permitted in the future if a clear reason. In addition, the tax exemption of hygiene medium and contraceptives is sought to reduce the cost of living for women. "The time for a women's policy that works is now," said Holzleitner and assured that the ministry will not only speak in the next five years, but will also make real progress, as the news portal ots.at summarized.