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Promising Practice

Database of the Ombud for Equal Treatment

Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Datenbank der Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft
The Austrian Ombud for Equal Treatment (OET) introduced a new database in 2016. All requests filed with the OET, including discrimination complaints, are systematically recorded there. The database is used for monitoring and reporting. It also helps the OET develop strategic action plans.
Land
Austria
Typ
Institutional and structural guidelines
Build institutional capacity
Operational guidelines
Ensure regular and timely data collection
Kategorie
Age
Disability
Gender identity or expression
Racial or ethnic origin
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation
All grounds / Cross-cutting
Includes multiple / intersectional discrimination

Promising practice :

Tätigkeitsberichte der Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft

 

In this page:

Why was the practice needed?

In 2015, the Austrian Ombud for Equal Treatment (OET) developed a new database to monitor and report on all requests filed with the OET, as well as to draw up strategic action plans based on the trends and areas of primary concern. All requests filed with the OET can be entered into the database. This includes: discrimination complaints; requests for information on discrimination; requests for tackling possible discriminatory job and housing advertisements; and requests for awareness raising activities via workshops, seminars and the media.

The information collected feeds into the OET’s biennial report to the Austrian Parliament.

How was it implemented?

The OET set up a working group to develop the new database. It consisted of OET staff for content- based requirements, the IT Department and an external company for technical support.

The data collection system has been in use since 1 January 2016. The discrimination grounds covered are those listed in national anti-discrimination legislation, namely: sex, disability, religion or belief, age, and sexual orientation.

More than one ground of discrimination per case or incident can be entered into the database. There is also a separate option to enter ‘intersectional’. It thereby allows multiple and intersectional discrimination to be analysed.

Detailed and differentiated data can now be collected and entered into the database. The challenge now is for OET staff to process and analyse the data making full use of the all data. To improve the continuous and consistent evaluation of the data, additional staff with social sciences skills will be needed.

Outputs

  • Database
  • OET Biennial Report (Tätigkeitsberichte der Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft) to the Austrian Parliament

Key success factors

  • Technical flexibility and user friendliness.
  • Possibility to search for multiple and intersectional discrimination.
  • Future new categories can be added, if needed

Technical information

  • Data sources covered: Complaints data.
  • Areas of life covered: Employment; Education; Health; Social Protection; Housing and living conditions; Access to good and services.
  • Target audience: Ombud for Equal Treatment; Austrian Parliament
  • Duration: 2016 - ongoing
  • Geographical scope: National
  • Leading institution: Ombud for Equal Treatment (OET) / Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft
  • Other organisations involved/consulted: No information provided
  • Financial & human resources: Budget: €140,000 for developing the database (2015) + €2,000 per year for servicing; Source of the budget: State budget; Staff: Development - working group of 5 people from the OET, 1 person from the IT-department; approximately 20 meetings of around 4 hours

Contacts

Ombud for Equal Treatment / Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft

Email: gaw (dot) bka (at) gv (dot) at