Ten years ago, the Women’s Network at FH Salzburg was established with a clear goal: to increase the representation of women in the University’s Academic Council and to sustainably strengthen gender equality. Since then, significant progress has been made. In addition to increasing the proportion of women in key university committees, gender and diversity have become firmly embedded within the institution’s structures.
The Women’s Network was founded in 2016 by colleagues from teaching, research, and administration in response to a growing desire for a stronger focus on gender and diversity issues as well as equality measures within the university. With the next Academic Council election, the first structural measures were introduced: women were actively encouraged and supported to stand for election, a Gender and Diversity Officer was appointed, and the Women’s Network developed a comprehensive catalogue of measures, which was presented to the university management.
Today, it is clear that these efforts have made a lasting impact. Equality and equal opportunities have been strategically and organizationally integrated throughout the university. Through its own Equality and Diversity Plan, dedicated Gender and Diversity Officers, and the integration of these topics into teaching, research, and administration, FH Salzburg pursues a holistic approach. The aim is to create fair conditions, counter discrimination, and actively promote diversity through awareness-raising initiatives, accessible study conditions, and practical measures in everyday working life.
Exchange and collaboration within the Women’s Network remain vibrant to this day, supported by a dedicated Microsoft Teams group and regular events throughout the year. Recent topics have included finance and financial planning for women. Issues related to gender equality and feminism continue to attract strong interest, particularly among younger colleagues. A Female Mentoring Program has also been established for female students. In addition, the Works Council has, for several years, applied a “zipper system,” whereby women and men alternate when filling vacant positions. Mandatory gender and diversity training helps to further raise awareness among all employees.
After ten years, one thing is clear: the Women’s Network at FH Salzburg has been, and continues to be, an important driver of change and will keep providing momentum for actively shaping equality in the years to come.