“With her work, her influence and her perseverance, she made a significant contribution to the empowerment of women in their lives,” SPÖ leader Andreas Pöbler said in a tribute to the deceased, who was also SPÖ federal women’s leader from 1995 to 1997.
“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”.
“Feminine Icon”
Styrian SPÖ state party leader Anton Lang and state women’s chairwoman Elisabeth Grossmann talk about the “feminist icon”: “Helga Konrad is one of the most important female politicians in Austrian history. She directly witnessed many advances in equal rights for women and men. Return to her political work.”
“She has passionately represented women’s political issues throughout her life. To do this, she has had to endure a lot of headwinds. “But your efforts have left lasting traces and caused a real rethinking for many,” said KPÖ Mayor of Graz LK Kahr in an initial reaction.
First intervention against violence
During her tenure as Minister for Women in 1996, Konrad hosted the first EU-wide conference on “Trafficking of Women for Sexual Exploitation”. Konrad is also remembered for his campaign “Whole Men Half and Half”. Popler said her fight for women’s rights “extends her time as minister and paved the way for important women’s policy achievements”. In a broadcast, Konrad recalled the adoption of the Violence Prevention Act during his tenure and the establishment of the first intervention center against domestic violence – today’s Violence Prevention Center in Graz.
Political career begins in Graz
Konrad was born on January 10, 1948 in Graz. After graduating from high school, he studied Romance Languages and English at the University of Karl-Francis in Graz and the Sorbonne in Paris. From 1977 to 1980 he worked as a consultant in the education department of the Styrian Chamber of Labour, after which he headed the Styrian Cultural Initiative for thirteen years.
Konrad started his political career in 1987 and was a local councilor in Graz until 1990. From 1993 to 1995, she was the city councilor for Youth, Family, Women, Schools and Health. He has also been a member of the National Council several times. After his tenure, he campaigned against human trafficking. From 2000 to 2004 he chaired the EU Stability Pact Task Force against Human Trafficking for South-Eastern Europe, and from 2004 to 2006 he was the first Special Representative on Combating Human Trafficking to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Many honorary degrees and prizes
In 2016, Konrad was awarded the honorary title of “Citizen of the State Capital of Graz”. She was awarded the Cross Women’s Prize for her life’s work until May 2024. Recipient of Konrad Viktor Adler Plaque and Gold Medal of Excellence with Star of the Republic of Austria.
