Source: Websites of the municipalities and Government Chancellery.

Women are also a minority in the over 66 commissions and advisory councils. 8 commissions are currently chaired by women. In 2011, 87 women (21.4%) and 320 men (78.6%) were members of the national commissions. From 1998 to 2011, the share of women increased by 4.4%.

Of the 24 foundations and establishments under public law, five are directed by women.

In 2012, 103 men (75.7%) and 33 women (24.3%) were members of boards of trustees of foundations. This represents an increase of 4.5% since 1998.

In courts of public law, the share of women increased between 1998 and 2012. In 1998, only men — a total of 12 — were members of these courts. In 2012, a total of 21 persons were members of the courts, 18 (86%) of whom were men and 3 (14%) of whom were women.

The share of women in civil and criminal courts increased by 11.3% from 1998 to 2012. In 1998, 33 men (78.6%) as compared to 9 women (21.4%) served in the civil and criminal courts; in 2012, 72 (67.3%) out of a total of 107 members were men and 35 (32.7%) were women.

In 2012, four men (57%) and three women (43%) worked as prosecutors for the Office of the Public Prosecutor.

At the municipal level, an average of 26% of the commission members were women in 2006. In the current term 2011-2015 the share of women was 31%.

One third to one half of internal political party functionaries are women. In 1982, party-internal women’s organizations were founded in the two large people’s parties (“Expert Group on Women in the Patriotic Union”, “Women in the FBP”), with the goal of enhancing the interest of women in politics and serving an educational function. They aim to raise the awareness of the public, to represent women’s interests in politics, and not least of all to prepare women within their respective party for political offices and functions. The share of women in the leadership of the Free List, founded in 1985, is 60%, the highest of the political parties.

Table 5 Share of women in political party functions (2013)

Function	Men	Women	Share of women
Party leadership of all three parties	18	8	31%
VU party leadership	6	1	14%
FBP party leadership	10	4	29%
FL party leadership	2	3	60%

Source: www.fbp.li; www.vu-online.li; www.freieliste.li.

(b)Share of women in the National Public Administration

In the National Public Administration the share of women in leading positions is 14%. 88% of managers work full-time and 12% part-time.

Liechtenstein maintains 8 diplomatic missions abroad and has appointed 8 ambassadors for that purpose. Three are women, corresponding to a share of 38%.

(c)Measures to promote women in public functions

As mentioned above, women continue to be underrepresented in politics and high-level public functions. The Liechtenstein Government is aware of this and has again implemented various measures over the past two years:

Study “Non-Candidacies in the 2011 Municipal Elections”

After the municipal elections in 2011, the Gender Equality Commission commissioned a study on “Non-Candidacies in the 2011 Municipal Elections”. Specifically, the question was examined why the respondents had decided not to run for office. The study provided indications of what the parties might take into account in future when recruiting candidates. The results were presented to the parties, and possible measures were discussed.

Report on gender quotas

In October 2012, the Gender Equality Commission prepared a report on the introduction of gender quotas on the party lists for municipal and national elections. The Government took note of the Commission’s report on 18 December 2012. In May 2013, the Commission discussed the possible introduction of list quotas and their advantages and disadvantages with the responsible Minister of the Government that was newly appointed that spring.

2013 parliamentary elections

In the run-up to parliamentary and municipal council elections, the Gender Equality Commission supports women by providing a platform (www.frauenwahl.li) on which all female candidates can present themselves. Exchanges with the female candidates are also organized. At these meetings, information is provided to the candidates on opportunities offered by the Commission and the Office of Equal Opportunity, such as the politics course, the mentoring programme, etc.

Post-election study by the Liechtenstein Institute on the 2013parliamentary elections

As mandated by the Gender Equality Commission and the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Liechtenstein Institute prepared a study on “The 2013 Parliamentary Elections — A Focus on Women”. The report illuminates the results achieved by women in the parliamentary elections from 1986 to 2013, the impact of political mandates on election success, and support for women from the perspective of voters. The report formulated possible causes of the underrepresentation of women and strategies to improve their election chances. The report has been presented to the public in October 2013.

Post-election discussion with the parliamentary candidates

In March 2013, the Gender Equality Commission met with the female parliamentary candidates for a post-election meeting, which included a non-partisan exchange on the experiences made from the perspective of women and an initial discussion of necessary measures. The non-partisan meetings hosted by the Commission before and after the elections are deemed helpful and positive by the candidates.

Politics Course

To achieve a balanced representation of women and men in political bodies, a politics course for women has been offered for 10 years now. The aim of the politics course is to empower and encourage women to contribute their abilities in political bodies and in public. More than 100 women from Liechtenstein have already attended this cross-border course.

Talks with Members of Parliament

Since March 2007, the Office of Equal Opportunity organizes two rounds of talks a year with female Members of Parliament on a topic of current interest; these talks are also open to the public. The events in the last two years dealt with “Diversity through quotas” (November 2011), “Inheritance law” (April 2012), and “The law on names” (January 2013). In October 2013, an event on “Custody of children” has been held.

(d)Measures to sensitize public officials

Continuing education offered by the National Public Administration

Role models at work, the advancement of women, and the compatibility of family and work are topics that have been covered by continuing education within the National Public Administration in recent years. In the 2013/14 continuing education programme, for instance, the courses “Women develop their leadership talent” and “Engaged in work and family” (target group: fathers and mothers) were offered. In February 2013, a course on Liechtenstein foreign policy was also offered, discussing human rights including women’s rights and drawing attention to the relevant human rights conventions and their implementation in Liechtenstein. The courses offered by the National Public Administration are open to all State employees and free of charge.