Testing and information

Center with a focus on women’s health

LR Eva Pawlata visited the ZSG Tirol to get an idea of what it offers.(Bild: Land Tirol/Dorfmann)

The Center for Sexual Health Tyrol (ZSG) has been a point of contact for low-threshold information and testing for sexually transmitted infections for over 30 years. The province is taking stock of the previous year and is also funding the facility this year.

Whether testing for sexually transmitted infections, advice on diversity, anti-discrimination and identity or sexual education - the ZSG offers low-threshold and anonymous access. Another focus is on the topic of sexual health for women.

The first ten sessions of counseling and therapy are free of charge. The state is funding the project and other services of the facility with 127,000 euros this year. The ten employees of the ZSG carried out around 2,500 tests for HIV and other infections in the previous year. That is an increase of 38 percent.

The targeted promotion of women's sexual health is an important step towards increasing women's autonomy, safety and quality of life.

Frauenlandesrätin Eva Pawlata

"The Center for Sexual Health has been providing advice on all aspects of sexual health for many years and is well networked and known in Tyrol as an anonymous point of contact. The targeted promotion of women's sexual health is an important step towards increasing women's autonomy, safety and quality of life," emphasizes Eva Pawlata, Provincial Councillor for Women.

The center offers its clients a protected and non-discriminatory space.(Bild: Land Tirol/Dorfmann)

Women and their right to sexual health
"Sexual health means living sexuality in a self-determined way, enjoying it and protecting yourself from health problems. However, this is not always the reality for women in particular," explains Thomas Lechleitner, who took over from Georg Gierzinger as Managing Director of ZSG Tirol a few weeks ago.

In addition to the increase in the number of HIV tests, the number of test consultations also rose. At around 4700, almost twice as many were carried out in the previous year. Sexual counseling deals with all topics related to sexuality: various forms of relationships, sexual identity, transgressive experiences and more. Around 170 school events were also held in 2023. These are intended to supplement sex education lessons at school and support young people in developing a positive relationship with their bodies and sexuality, making informed decisions and treating others with respect.