Museum of Contraception and Abortion
The Museum for Contraception and Abortion ( MUVS ) is a museum in the 15th Viennese district of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus . It is the only museum in the world devoted exclusively to the areas of contraception , pregnancy tests and abortion .
history
The museum was founded in 2003 by gynecologist Christian Fiala, himself the operator of a family planning clinic in Vienna and one in Salzburg. Fiala said of his motivation: “ As a doctor, I can only educate a limited number of people about their fertility and how they can best deal with it. As a scientist and lecturer, there are more. But only with a museum is it possible to spread knowledge about reliable contraception and medically safe abortion around the world. "
The museum was opened in March 2007 in the presence of the former Minister for Women, Johanna Dohnal . It is located on the Mariahilfer Gürtel , in the immediate vicinity of Vienna's Westbahnhof . The museum is financed by a non-profit association and by individual donations.
Goal setting
The task is to provide scientifically correct information about the history, present and future of contraception, pregnancy tests and abortion. This is intended to make the “force of fertility” tangible: an average of 15 pregnancies per woman's life are “natural”, “naturally wanted”. Of the approximately 10 births, around seven children previously survived. For economic, social or other reasons that is too much for most people, in the past as it is now. Restricting the number of children was and is therefore an important issue for all generations and most cultures.
structure
The museum consists of the real showrooms in Vienna and the virtual museum on the Internet.
Display objects, models, files, writings and films are presented to visitors in three showrooms. Explanations on audio guides (German, English) and a basic brochure (German, English) are available for orientation. There are also brochures on special topics (German, English). The showrooms show only a small part of the collection.
The museum takes part in the Long Night of the Museums every year .
The virtual museum can be visited on a museum tour. The core is an extensive database of collections and libraries that can be used free of charge by every user. The images may be used free of charge if the source is named.
Stocks
The collection, archive and library comprise around 2100 objects, 1120 books, 100 letters and more than 500 specialist articles. A number of scientists have entrusted the museum with their assets or legacies . The collection, archive and library are accessible via the homepage and are also processed through themed brochures and the regular free newsletter (German, English).
Hermann Knaus Documentation Center
The Austrian gynecologist Hermann Knaus (1892–1970) and the Japanese doctor Kyusaku Ogino (1882–1975) became known as the discoverer of the safe and unsafe days in the woman's cycle. As part of its focus on the preservation of Austrian cultural assets , the museum maintains an extensive sub-archive of Hermann Knaus .
Research project 'Abortion in Austria - 1945–1974'
The current research project examines the frequency, medical and organizational processes, social environment and jurisprudence in connection with abortions for the period between 1945 and 1974. The processing should make it clear on what basis and in what climate the political decision for the deadline solution was made. The results are continuously published in specialist journals.
Contraception goes to school
A particular focus of the museum's work is imparting knowledge to young people, taking age, previous knowledge, gender, and social and cultural context into account. A connection between cultural and historical narrative with medical, political, social developments and an overview of current contraceptive methods is transported. The goal is a self-determined handling of one's own fertility.
Memberships and international cooperation
The museum is a member of the Austrian Museums Association and the International Council of Museums ( ICOM ) , either directly or through its representatives . There is a close exchange of knowledge with medical history collections worldwide and a partnership with the Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum, Cleveland , Ohio.
Prizes and awards
- 2009: Austrian Museum Seal of Approval
- 2010: Nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award
- 2010: First winner of the Kenneth Hudson Award of the Trustees of the European Museum Forum
- 2011: Member of Excellence Club: "The Best in Heritage"
Individual evidence
- ^ Welcome statement by Barbara Prammer , President of the Austrian National Council
- ↑ "The result of sexual intercourse is generally the child", MUVS basic brochure
- ^ "Hermann Knaus - Detective of the Fertile Days", published by the MUVS
literature
- Wolfgang Regal, Michael Nanut: A human dream: Controlling reproduction. In: Doctors Week of December 3, 2003
- C. Werner: Contraception in the museum. In: Oberösterreichische Nachrichten of March 24, 2007
- Gerti Senger: Pleasure and burden of fertility. In: Kronen-Zeitung from April 1, 2007
- Anna Lissel: Plastic instead of jute - a brief history of contraception. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung from May 6, 2007
- Amazement makes you smart. In: The medic. Edition 4/2007
- Susanne Krejsa MacManus and Christian Fiala: The detective of the fertile days - The story of the gynecologist Hermann Knaus (1892-1970) , 2016, Vienna: Verlagshaus der Ärzte, ISBN 978-3-99052-146-5
- Susanne Krejsa MacManus and Christian Fiala: Stealth - A murder shakes a museum that is not talked about. , 2020, Berlin: Omnino-Verlag, ISBN 978-3-95894-158-8 .
Web links
Coordinates: 48 ° 11 ′ 41.7 ″ N , 16 ° 20 ′ 20.7 ″ E