Gaál: "Around 15,300 consultations in four years show that the women's center is an important contact point for all Viennese women!"

2023-08-20 09:30:34

Free advice for women on personal development, separation, mental health and financial security

Vienna (OTS) – Four-year anniversary for the “City of Vienna Women’s Center” opened in 2019 at Rathausstrasse 2 (Advice phone: 01/408 70 66). In four years, a total of 15,296 consultations took place (08/01/2019 – 07/31/2023). The main topics of the consultations were divorce, separation, mental health and financial issues.

“The balance after four years shows that we have created a solid foundation with the establishment of the women’s center, a reliable contact point that supports Viennese women in all situations in a targeted manner,” says Deputy Mayor and Women’s City Councilor Kathrin Gaál. “In the women’s center, the employees respond individually to the needs of each woman. Especially in difficult situations, it is important to act immediately and to show the possibilities with professional advice. In Vienna there is a wide range of offers to support and encourage women in their personal lives in the best possible way – regardless of whether it is a matter of separation, advice for single parents, multiple burdens or personal development. The counselors in the women’s center have an overview and provide careful, tailor-made and unbureaucratic advice or refer them to the right place,” says Gaál.

The team at the women’s center consists of psychologists, lawyers and social workers. In addition to psychological advice, legal advice and social advice, the women’s center also acts as a mediation hub for various offers for women in Vienna.

Four-year balance: 15,296 consultations – around 422 consultations per month in the last year

Since the women’s center opened, support has been offered in a total of 15,296 consultations. The consultations took place in different formats.

Last year (08/01/2022 – 07/31/2023) an average of 422 consultations took place per month.

Total contacts since opening 1.8. 2019 – 31.7.2023 according to consultation format

consultation format Contact by phone 12.268 Personal 1.101 Email 1.927 In total 15.296

Total contacts in the last 12 months, August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023 by consultation format

consultation format Contact by phone 3.770 Personal 543 Email 748 In total 5.061 cut/month 422
After four years, the women’s center has firmly established itself as a counseling facility and is very well accepted by the Viennese women. It shows with round 15,300 consultations very high utilization in four years.

In the last 12 months (08/01/2022 – 07/31/2023) a total of more than 5,000 consultations took place.

Each woman is individually advised and cared for. The focus is on initial psychological and social work advice and support, initial legal advice and providing information about rights and options and planning the next steps. In order to find tailor-made solutions, the women’s center’s experts from the fields of law, psychology and social support work as a team if necessary.

In difficult life situations, different problem situations often occur hand in hand. For example, a separation can increase the financial pressure and the associated psychological stress. The advice offered by the women’s center is particularly effective in difficult situations.

Main topics in the women’s center

In terms of content, the women’s center in 2023 has so far recorded in addition to the topics that are more in demand than in the previous year separation and divorce (45% of all counseling contacts) continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, inquiries remain relevant mental health (19% of all consultation contacts) at a high level. Inflation and rising prices also led to inquiries maintenance and financial emergencies (13% of all consultation contacts) are at the same high level as in the previous year. Questions were just as common custody and right of contact (13% of all consultation contacts).

The complexity of the issues also becomes apparent during the consultations. 11% of all counseling contacts address the issue of violence. There are always clients whose experiences of violence are discussed for the first time during counseling at the women’s center. In these cases, the counselors refer you quickly and easily to the responsible authorities, such as the 24-hour women’s emergency hotline of the City of Vienna (01 71 71 9) or the women’s shelter emergency hotline (05 77 22).

Theme days in the women’s center: “Housing for women over 60” and “Women and money – advice on securing a livelihood”

Since 2020, theme days with special focuses have been offered in the women’s center in cooperation with other advice centers. In 2023, theme days on “women and money”, “single parents” and “maternity leave and re-entry” have taken place in cooperation with the waff (Vienna employee support fund).

In autumn 2023, the focus will be on the topics “Housing for women over 60” and “Women and money – advice on securing a livelihood”. In October, a consultation focus on the topic of “Housing for women over 60” is planned in cooperation with the Vienna housing advice service. On this day, Viennese women can get information from experts from the Vienna Housing Advisory Service. In November, experts from the Women’s Center and the Vienna Social Fund will advise on debt counseling on the subject of “Women and money – advice on securing a livelihood”.

Free, anonymous and confidential advice

The Women’s Center is the City of Vienna’s central counseling and information center for women in all walks of life. Viennese women receive free information and initial advice. Experts help with questions about personal development, divorce, custody, financial or psychological problems or provide information about the counseling and support services available in Vienna.

The advice is confidential, anonymous if desired. Women receive initial information by phone, email or in person. For more in-depth, detailed advice, please make an appointment – at 01 408 70 66.

Women’s Center Vienna
Rathausstrasse 2, 1010 Vienna
Tel.: +43 1 408 70 66
Email: women’s center@wien.at
frauenzentrum.wien.gv.at