Frauenpower 1848: New series of discussions in the ORF Radioculture House!

Frauenpower 1848: New series of discussions in the ORF Radioculture House!

On May 20, 2025, a new series of discussions entitled "1848, the women and further" starts in the ORF Radioculturhaus. This event, moderated by the ORF journalists Irene Suchy and Katharina Gruber, illuminates the important role of the women's movement in the 19th century. The first edition will take place on Tuesday, May 27th, at 7:00 p.m. and will welcome the historians Gabriella Hauch and Veronika Helfert as guests. The second round of discussion is scheduled for Monday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m., with Margareth Lanzinger and Waltraud Schütz will also take part as specialists. Interested parties can follow the events live in the video stream: radiokulturhaus.orf.at .

The first theme block of the series is devoted to the foundation of the first Vienna Democratic Women's Association, which took place in 1848. This association was created after the bloody suppression of a demonstration for wage cuts by construction site workers, with a few women becoming victims of violence. The foundation set a strong sign for the first feminist demands, including the same political rights and access to education. Until the foundation of this association, around August 1848, women were not allowed to get involved in political organizations, which was only changed by the association law of 1867. The commitment of women was remarkable despite these restrictions.

historical context of the women's movement

The women's movement in Austria experienced a powerful upswing in 1848. The events around the "Prater Battle", in which 18 people were killed and wounded in 282, led to the historical call of around 150 women to found the first Vienna Democratic Women's Association. President Karoline von Perin-Gradenstein led the group, who was primarily aimed at bourgeois, wealthy women and fought for equality and access to education. These concerns have already been anchored in a leaflet on September 13, 1848.

The mobilization of women also extended to participate in protest actions, such as the demonstration before the Reichstag on October 17, 1848, in which 300 women became active. Despite the successful mobilization, her petition to convene the Landsturm was rejected without discussion. After the revolution was suppressed in October 1848, many activities of women were claimed, and the club had to close its goals. Karoline from Perin-Gradenstein was arrested and their assets were confiscated, which symbolizes the enormous pressure, which women were exposed to during this time.

The role of women in the 19th century

The economic and legal position of women in the 19th century was precarious. Although they received partly similar rights as men in professional life, such as the right to conduct a business, but they were legally fully under the control of the man as head of the family. Working women were mainly involved in the craft and workers. The first round of discussion in the ORF Radioculturhaus will deepen these topics in order to promote the understanding of social changes and to illuminate the background of the women's movement at the time.

This series of discussions offers a valuable forum for reflection on the challenges and achievements of women in the 19th century and helps to carry the historical perspective into modern discussion. Further information on the event can be viewed on the ORF website: radiokulturhaus.orf.at .