1938-1945: Women's Resistance Against the Nazi Regime

The numbers collected on the resistance against the Nazi Regime seem to suggest a lower participation of women: For example, the proportion of women charged with high treason at the Vienna Higher Regional Court was only 12.3 percent (341 women). This imbalance can be explained inter alia by the gender image held by the persecuting Nazi institutions and societal stereotypes. Female opponents to the regime were considered as far less dangerous for the Nazi State than male resistance fighters. They were seen only as helpers and supporters. Similarly, in postwar Austria, only the armed struggle was considered a form of resistance. Tasks that were usually carried out by women, such as the care and hiding of persecuted resistance fighters and members, were overlooked. With a more comprehensive concept of resistance, the female portion of resistance acts increases, although it can no longer be numerically measured.