Fundamental Rights Section The generic masculine is still perceived as neutral and universal, unfortunately also by public authorities. As times change, also social changes must be taken into account. Today many women hold posts which have been held by men only for decades. Nevertheless, masculine terms are still being used for these posts, either in writing or orally. This increases women's need to make themselves visible and heard through language. The Bundesministerin für Soziale Sicherheit, Generationen und Konsumentenschutz (Federal Minister of Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection) called on the members of the Federal Government in a speech made before the Council of Ministers (GZ 147.310/5-SG III/3/2001) to give a sign and initiate and implement gender-sensitive formulations in laws, ordinances, regulations, forms etc. in all departments. There is nothing to add to that: In a society that is committed to equality between men and women both sexes must be reflected also in language. Equal rights for both sexes are taken for granted today. Language should reflect that and avoid obsolete values, clichés and (con- scious/unconscious) discrimination. Women want no longer be merely included in masculine formulations, but be reflected in language. In his statement of May 18, 2006, Austria's Federal Chancellor set out, inter alia, the following: 'The term ‚Olympionike’ as used in the advertisements at issue naturally included both the male and female athletes and was used in a gender-neutral manner merely for reasons of fluidity of language'. The sport department of the Federal Chancellery has been unimpressed by the criticism voiced by the Ombudsman Board. For example, it could be read on the homepage of the Federal Chancellery on 12.6.2006 that 'the 'Olympioniken' were honoured by the Federal President and the Federal Chancellor'; a few lines further in the text one learns that double Olympic champion Michaela Dorfmeister and multiple Paralympics champion Sabine Gasteiger thanked the Federal President and the Federal Chancellor for the awards they had received themselves 'on behalf of all honoured Olympioniken'. 78