KLARA! – Dismantling the root causes of the gender pay gap
KLARA!, the Network for Equal Pay and Gender Equality in the Labour Market, is a development partnership within the framework of the EU EQUAL Programme. It ran from July 2005 to June 2007 and was coordinated by the network of Austrian counselling centres for women and girls.KLARA! aimed to anchor equal pay as an important criterion for gender equality in the labour market through various activities:
1. KLARA! aimed to sensitise people. In autumn 2007 the awareness raising campaign entitled „Frauen verdienen mehr!” (“Women deserve more – Women deserve to earn more!”) was launched.
2. KLARA! aimed to network Austrian gender equality experts from institutions
and NGOs. They met in focus groups, discussed obstacles encountered in the
equal pay area and exchanged strategies.
3. KLARA! put strategies to the test. For example, a mentoring programme for female migrants in Vienna was geared to supporting female migrants to achieve their job ambitions.
4. KLARA! strengthened women’s counselling centres. Three women’s
counselling centres in rural regions became competence centres for
gender-appropriate training and counselling.
5. KLARA! enhanced qualifications by offering a training course for future Equal Pay Agents.