The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is committed to empowering women in a variety of ways through its daily work. With a dedicated contact point for immigrant women, specific integration measures for immigrant women and women with refugee status, and publications promoting the visibility of women, the ÖIF contributes to fostering the integration of immigrant women and strengthening the role of women in society. The ÖIF itself also has a high proportion of women – particularly in leadership positions. Furthermore, the ÖIF has received numerous awards: it holds the equalitA seal of approval for internal workplace promotion of women, the state-awarded "berufundfamilie" seal of approval for family-friendly working conditions, and the Miliz seal of approval.
High proportion of women and top ranking in the Vienna Integration Index for the ÖIF
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) not only champions integration in its work, but also unites employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences within its own organization. ÖIF staff members come from a wide range of ethnic, religious, and social origins. Around 60% of employees have a migration background themselves, many of whom came to Austria as refugees. This diversity is particularly evident in the ÖIF's leadership structure: approximately two-thirds of managers are women. In the first Vienna Integration Index, the Austrian Integration Fund achieved first place among more than 100 participating organizations and, at 71%, also had the highest proportion of women and people with a migration background in leadership positions.
Gender equality as a key topic in values and orientation courses
Equality and self-determination for women are central themes in the values and orientation courses, attendance at which is mandatory for refugees and those granted subsidiary protection under the Integration Act. These courses place a particular emphasis on the role of women in Austrian society and on the rights and opportunities available to women in Austria – for example, in the education system, in the workplace, and in shaping their own lives. The courses thus make an important contribution to providing orientation for newly arrived immigrants and fostering a shared understanding of values.
ÖIF Women's Centre as a central contact point for immigrant women
A key focus of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is the promotion and support of women and girls with a migration background. The ÖIF women's centers offer immigrant women a wide range of multilingual seminars, consultations, and advice on career and educational opportunities, health and family, as well as violence prevention and self-determination. At the ÖIF women's centers in Vienna and Graz, women with a refugee background who have experienced violence are also given counseling and referred directly to organizations that are intensively involved in violence prevention and offer concrete support for individual cases. All information about the ÖIF's programs for the empowerment and promotion of women and the women's centers can be found at www.integrationsfonds.at/frauen .
“Home of great daughters”: Publication highlights the achievements of women
With the publication "Homeland of Great Daughters," the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) focuses on the visibility of women and their achievements in Austria, both past and present. The publication portrays women who have shaped Austria in various fields – from politics and science to culture, society, and sports. It showcases the contributions women make to the country's development and invites readers to explore their life stories and successes. The publication is available for download in the ÖIF media library .