The University of Vienna is participating in the UN campaign with contributions on its websites and the ÖH (Austrian National Union of Students) and is sending a visible sign of solidarity by flying orange flags in front of its main building.
Orange the World: International campaign to prevent violence against women
The UN campaign ‘Orange the World’ is an annual initiative that takes place every year between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and Human Rights Day on 10 December. During these 16 days of activism to prevent violence against women, the colour orange is used to raise awareness, combat violence and break the taboo surrounding this issue.
Andreas Bosina
University of Vienna against sexualised and gender-based violence
Sexualised and gender-based discrimination and violence also occur in the higher education context.
Due to the particular dependencies that exist during the degree programme and the qualification phase, academic careers are highly vulnerable to various forms of abuse of power.
u:respect – Look. Speak up. Take it seriously.
The University of Vienna takes a clear stand against all forms of violence and abuse of power. In line with its responsibility as an employer and as a research and educational institution, it is committed to prevention, awareness-raising and support through the university-wide u:respect campaign.
The campaign is aimed at all employees and students. It offers information, training courses and contact points to help identify disrespectful behaviour, respond appropriately and obtain help:
- Disrespectful behaviour
What is sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, stalking, threats, sexualised violence and physical violence? - Contact points
Where can you seek advice or file a complaint? What contact points are available for employees and students? - Information material
Guidelines, checklists, videos for victims, witnesses, managers and teachers, as well as posters and stickers to download and request an item. - E-learning
In an online course, all employees and students receive an introduction to the topic of sexual harassment and the options for action and obligations of managers.
Equal Opportunities Working Party (AKGleich)
For more than three decades, the Equal Opportunities Working Party (AKGleich) at the University of Vienna has been committed to fairness, equality, and respectful coexistence. It consults with employees and students in cases of discrimination, sexual harassment, and bullying, while also ensuring that legal requirements for equal treatment are met in personnel and professorial appointment procedures.
The AKGleich now has a new chair – an opportunity to highlight the important work of the team.
Further services and contact points at the University of Vienna
Here you will find an overview of contact points for victims or witnesses of sexual harassment or discrimination:
- Sexual Harassment and Bullying Advice Centre: psychological counselling, no power to intervene or impose sanctions
- Equal Opportunities Working Party (AKGL): consulting, support, complaints procedure, accompanying monitoring, no decision-making body
- Arbitration Commission: mediation in disputes, decisions on complaints from the AKGL
- Works Council for Academic Staff and Works Council for General Staff: initial counselling
- Student union
→ Women's department: counselling and reporting form for incidents of discrimination (anonymous or with real name)
→ Other departments: anti-racism work and foreign students, accessibility, queer department, working class students, etc.