“With her work, her impact and her persistence, Helga Konrad made a significant contribution to empowering women in their lives,” said SPÖ leader Andreas Babler in tribute to the deceased, who was a minister and SPÖ federal women’s chairwoman from 1995 to 1997. Konrad is remembered for her campaign “Whole men make half-half”.
Her fight for women’s rights “stretched well beyond her term as minister and paved the way for important women’s policy achievements,” said Babler, who, in a broadcast, recalled the passage of the Violence Protection Act during her term in office. “She was a tireless and persistent fighter for women’s rights throughout her life,” emphasized SPÖ women’s leader Eva-Maria Holzleitner, who spoke of Konrad as a “pioneer”.
Konrad began her political career from 1987 to 1990 as a local councilor in Graz. From 1993 to 1995 she was city councilor for youth, family, women, schools and health. She was also a member of the National Council several times. After her term in office, she campaigned against human trafficking – from 2000 to 2004 she was chairwoman of the EU Stability Pact Task Force against human trafficking for Southeastern Europe, and from 2004 to 2006 she was the first special representative in the fight against human trafficking for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The ÖGB women and the SPÖ Styria also expressed their sadness. On Sunday, appreciations came not only from the ranks of the SPÖ. “Helga Konrad has made a significant contribution to strengthening women in Austria,” wrote Women’s Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) on KPÖ) in a press release.
ePaper