Woman and man

Gender equality policy means equal rights and opportunities for all. In Liechtenstein, equality has largely been achieved by law. However, there are still differences in the interests, abilities and roles attributed to women. These differences still influence economic status and responsibility for domestic and family work.

Formally, the Gender Equality Act (GLG) of 1999 supports equality in the world of work and in access to goods and services. In particular, the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of gender applies. In addition, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has been in force in Liechtenstein since 1996.

However, government measures and structures with sufficient resources for their implementation and monitoring are still needed to achieve actual gender equality. To this end, the Advisory Council on Gender Equality recommends a state gender equality strategy with the dismantling of role stereotypes, gender-equitable representation in political bodies, protection against violence and the promotion of work-life balance. Since 2022, the VMR has been organizing the Gender Equality Round Table to discuss current issues with NGOs and authorities.

To combat violence against women and domestic violence, a sustainable strategy and a national action plan based on the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence(Istanbul Convention) is required. According to the Information and Advice Centre for Women (infra) and the Liechtenstein Women's Shelter, the strategy should include the establishment of a recognized and low-threshold violence protection and intervention centre.

Women also need protection against sexual harassment and bullying. Special consideration must be given to the protection of vulnerable groups of women, such as migrant women or women with disabilities.

Reconciling family and career is a challenge for both women and men. Traditional role models often lead to multiple burdens for women and make it difficult to achieve a balanced division of responsibilities. Part-time work or part-time management positions are difficult to implement for women and are not socially accepted for men.

Key prerequisites for a balanced distribution of paid work and family work and a better work-life balance for both women and men are a concrete gender mainstreaming policy, the elimination of stereotypes and the softening of traditional role models. Paid parental leave and the affordability of childcare facilities are particularly necessary for economically weaker families.

In addition, women still earn less than men. Only part of this pay gap can be explained objectively. According to the Liechtenstein Employees' Association (LANV), two-fifths of it cannot be explained and is therefore discriminatory.

At a national level, women's voting rights were only introduced in 1984, although women in individual municipalities were able to vote from as early as 1976. Even today, women are still underrepresented in Liechtenstein politics.

The proportion of women in parliament, government and at local level (municipal council) is considered an indicator of gender equality in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. In Liechtenstein, this indicates a rather low level of willingness in society to be represented by women and to involve them in decision-making and political power. The appropriate representation of women in parliament and municipal councils, on the other hand, would promote the inclusion of the gender perspective in political decisions, which is of great importance for the realization of gender equality.

There are no surveys on abortions in Liechtenstein. The Criminal Code (§§ 96-98a StGB) prohibits abortions with up to three years imprisonment, but permits them under strict conditions, for example if the pregnant woman's life is in danger, if she has been raped or if the pregnant woman was underage. A ban on information (§ 98a) prevents comprehensive counseling and the establishment of safe structures. There is also a lack of a state counseling center. UN committees have been calling for the decriminalization of abortion, better access to safe interventions and the abolition of the information ban for years, but Liechtenstein has not yet implemented these recommendations.