FIFTITU% protested on November 15, 2001

against the unbelievable non-equal reappointment of the State Cultural Advisory Council

Press release

Linz, November 15, 2001

Hard to believe!

"The commitment, expertise and creativity of women are indispensable for the future of our country. We must therefore create appropriate framework conditions so that women can contribute their skills in all areas of life
can contribute their skills."

LH Dr. Josef Pühringer, quote from a folder of the Upper Austrian Office for Women's Issues

As the FIFTITU% association learned last week, the new Provincial Cultural Advisory Board has now been appointed. This committee was created as an advisory body for the state cultural advisor, Governor Josef Pühringer, and is reappointed every 4 years

Through initiatives by active women in the cultural scene (in particular FIFTITU%, KUPF, MAIZ), it was possible more than 1 1/2 years ago to ensure that a "target provision" for gender parity was included in the legal basis, i.e. that 50% of the members of this body should be women, see Upper Austria. Cultural Promotion Act on the Provincial Cultural Advisory Board (in particular § 7 para. 5): "A balance of male and female (substitute) members shall be aimed for in the composition of the Provincial Cultural Advisory Board and the specialist advisory boards." (Note: LGBl.Nr. 58/2000)"

The new members of the Provincial Cultural Advisory Council have now been appointed by the Governor. The full members are 22 men (81%) and only 5 women (19%); for comparison: in the last term of office, 76% were men and 24% women. In the case of the substitute members, who are only entitled to vote if the corresponding full member drops out, parity was obviously important - so much for the value placed on women by the Provincial Governor and the Provincial Directorate of Culture.

We find it incredible that it is still possible in 2001 for the provincial government to appoint an advisory board in this way without causing a storm of indignation among the president of the provincial parliament, the Office for Women's Issues Upper Austria, the provincial parties and the media.

The current Women's Report 2000 of the Upper Austrian Office for Women's Issues speaks of "poor opportunities for women despite increased qualifications" - the new appointment of the LKB is an example of this.

The FIFTITU% association had already submitted proposals from over 30 competent women in early summer. The KUPF Cultural Platform Upper Austria also suggested 50% women in its proposals.

It is of little use that the Upper Austrian state parliament passed the following resolution on July 5, 2001:

"The model for the development of standards adopted by the Upper Austrian Provincial Parliament on January 28, 1999 is supplemented by the aspect of "gender mainstreaming"." The provincial governor disregards statements made (see above) and resolutions, but in discussions with FIFTITU% he repeatedly emphasizes how difficult it is to recruit women for management positions.

It also makes little sense to proclaim 2002 the year of equal opportunities for women in Upper Austria -

FIFTITU% will call on the regular male members of the LKB to resign in favor of their female colleagues on November 16, '01 at the constituent meeting of the Provincial Cultural Advisory Board.

Herta Gurtner
Managing Director of FIFTITU%