No support for abortions with student money

Since January 2025, the ÖH has been offering financial support for abortions through the so-called „Repro Fund“¹, financed from the mandatory contributions of all students. Although abortions are illegal in Austria, merely decriminalized, 18,000 euros are budgeted for covering abortion costs for the 2025/2026 academic year.² In the future, the funding pot is even set to be doubled.³ Every Austrian student is required to pay ÖH contributions. Thus, every Austrian student is obliged to co-finance the killing of children covered by the „Repro Fund“. Those who do not pay lose their right to study.

The targeted financing of abortions is incompatible with the freedom of conscience of many students and represents an ethically absolutely indefensible decision.

We demand that the financing of abortions with student money be stopped immediately!

The ÖH should instead provide financial support to female students who find themselves in pregnancy conflict situations and promote measures that concretely relieve women with children during their studies: through expanded childcare, financial assistance, and psychosocial support. True freedom of choice arises where there is no pressure to have an abortion, but real opportunities are offered.

¹ https://www.reprotopf.at/

² https://www.oeh.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/JVA-2025_26_signed.pdf

³ https://www.oeh.ac.at/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Koalitionsvertrag-2025-27.pdf

To the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (Minoritenplatz 5, 1010 Vienna)

as well as to the audit committee for reviewing the ÖH’s financial management

und an den Beirat des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung

Dear Sir or Madam,

With this urgent concern, we urge the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research as well as the responsible audit committee to instruct the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH) to immediately discontinue the so-called “Repro Fund” and to no longer provide funds for the financing of abortions in the future.

As the legal representative of all students, the ÖH has the task of ensuring the best possible support and promotion of students throughout their educational path. However, the financing of abortions is a highly controversial measure and does not fall within the responsibilities of a student representative body. Instead, the ÖH should focus on providing supportive measures for pregnant students and students with children to enable them to continue their studies.

The financial support of abortions constitutes an inappropriate use of the mandatory membership fees paid by students.

We therefore demand the abolition of the ÖH’s “Repro Fund” and the cessation of financial support for abortions.

We request that you promptly address this matter and take the necessary steps to ensure an ethical, conflict-free, and appropriate use of the ÖH’s financial resources.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]