Vienna: Same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in Austria from 2019 after the country's supreme court ruled that a law to the contrary violated the principle of non-discrimination.

The move brings Austria into line with many other European nations including Germany, France, Britain and Spain.

It also comes at a time when stories of sexual harassment under the #MeToo hashtag have flooded social media, sparking a rethink of attitudes towards sexual discrimination.

"Today is a truly historic day," said lawyer Helmut Graupner, who represented the two female plaintiffs in court.