edition:menschlichkeit

Volume 2: A Country of Rich Girls? Female Poverty in Austria.

Our work team developed from a course on poverty research, A Home of Rich Girls- Ways out of Female Poverty, in March 2005 to realise the project "Sozialroutenplanerin" in Innsbruck.

The course was organised by the Centre for Poverty Research at Salzburg University in cooperation with "Haus der Begegnung" in Innsbruck. Our team consists of Mag. Bettina Rolli-Rohrer, Mag. Sonja Grill, Mag. Thomas Böhler und Mag. Julia Stabentheiner. We are supported by "Haus der Begegnung", the centre of advice of Caritas Innsbruck, and DOWAS, a social institution for women.
The current Austrian Social Report (2003) showed that more than 1 million people in Austria live in households with an income below the limits of poverty. Poverty is female- this general thesis was investigated and verified by Karin Heitzmann und Angelika Schmitt. The access to resources of the job market, social security and family is more difficult for women because of their specific, female outline of life.
The course's aim was to involve afflicted women and regard them as experts to get an idea of their life. This cooperation showed that running the gauntlet of support of different social and public institutions proved a particular problem.
Lack of information, language barrier and want of support can diminish their self-esteem and their own initiative as well as harm the integrity of the afflicted women especially in difficult situations. The "Sozialroutenplanerin" wants to list all the relevant governmental and social institutions in Innsbruck in the form of a map which is produced integrating affected women to help affected women. This map is divided into three parts:

1. Legal rights- What am I entitled to?
2. Advice- Where can I get information in what situation?
3. Where can I get financial help?

These three parts answer to the following questions:

1. What situation am I in/ what prerequisites do I have to have?
2. What documents do I need?
3. What do I get?
4. Address/contact
5. Opening hours
6. Where is the required institution?
7. How do I get there by public transport?

"Sozialroutenplanerin" is special because the map is clearly laid out and easy to understand using the language of the afflicted women. Additionally, one can find the exact criteria of the various institutions as well as the required documents for application. "Sozialroutenplanerin" can be found in institutions relevant to women, in doctors' practices, in advice centres, at the train station and similar places. It is also promoted via the media.
[Sozialroutenplanerin (pdf)]

The contributions investigate experiences, causes and strategies to fight female poverty in Austria. The introductory text is written by bearer of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Elfriede Jelinek. It is followed by four personal accounts and three stories by women who work in relevant institutions and projects. Finally, we find a text by two female scientists who summarise the state of research. The Italian photographer Luigi Caputo designed the cover.

Content:
Elfriede Jelinek, Women
Angelina, Once, There Was…
Barbara Weber, Report from the Crevasses. Inspired by Kafka
Marija Valudskyte, "I Am an Optimist and I Believe in Me Getting out of Poverty"
Brigitte, Story of a Single Mother
Katharina Huber, Female Poverty: A Glimpse of the Ordinary Work of a Counsellor
Jasmin Alge und Doris Stauder, A Brief Survey of a Normal Day at Work
Michaela Gründler, Active Women in the Jungle of Bureaucracy
Karin Heitzmann und Michaela Moser, Female Poverty: Causes and Perspectives

Women, who are affected by poverty, are supported by 100% of the earnings. The project "Sozialroutenplanerin" (a woman running the gauntlet of help from the authorities) receives a particular back up.

The initiative has developed from an interactive seminar on female poverty in Austria. The "Taschenanwältin" (legal advice in the form of a paperback) for young people in Innsbruck was used as a model. The book speaks the language of the target group and talks about topics young women and men are actually concerned with. We do not produce one of those glossy but mostly neglected brochures. We see the women in question as the experts and put them in the centre of attention.

The brochure is made together with the women and it is meant to help them find their way about the authorities. A woman´s world is often characterised by the following problems. They are sent to offices all over the place with nobody feeling responsible for their needs. They face incompetence concerning professional and legal questions as well as time management. Women change from beggars to legitimate applicants if they know where to get what kind of support. Information about their rights saves a lot of their time and struggle. The brochure separates legal requirements from other regulations. It makes them aware of the support (regarding work, health, violence etc) that is to be had listing the requirements and the papers needed.

It is the women themselves who decide about the brochure's contents. It is them who have the experience. It is them who are the experts in coping with these problems. The project is supposed to be interactive and, therefore, boost their self-confidence- "I AM ENTITLED TO WHAT I AM ENTITELED TO."

Contact:
Thomas Böhler c/o "Haus der Begegnung", Rennweg 12, 6020 Innsbruck, Phone: 0043 (0) 512 - 587869-18