OrganisersExternal link of the event on Tuesday said the political fight for equal pay and respect for women had made hardly any progress over the past three years.
The Unia trade unionExternal link also criticised a planned increase of the retirement age for women as part of a reform of the country’s old age pension system. The issue will come to a nationwide vote in September.
Campaigners also pointed out the more than 20,000 reported cases of domestic violence.
Street protests in cities and towns across Switzerland were organised to mark the anniversary of the 1981 vote on a constitutional article about equal rights for women and men.
A first nationwide strike was held on June 14, 1991, initiated by a group of female workers at a watchmaking factory in western Switzerland protesting about low salaries.
A second similar protest in 2019 was attended by an estimated 500,000 people, according to the Trade Union Federation.
Last year’s third event of its kind took place amid restrictions imposed because of the Covid pandemic. More than 100,000 people took place in the symbolic strike action.
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The cantonal parliament of Vaud has approved a loan of CHF9.5 million ($11.5 million) for Château de Chillon, the most-visited monument in Switzerland.
Swiss party president Thierry Burkart to step down in October
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Thierry Burkart, president of the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party, wants to hand over the presidency in October, around two years before the next national elections.
Climate Alliance presents action plan on 20th anniversary
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The Swiss Climate Alliance has presented an action plan showing how Switzerland could make a success of the energy transition and achieve a net zero balance within ten years.
Swiss business group expects export slump after strong start to year
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The Swiss economy was still robust in the first quarter of 2025 but is coming under increasing pressure, says the Swiss business federation, economiesuisse.
Five arrested in Switzerland in human-trafficking raid
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Law enforcement authorities in Switzerland and Romania have busted a human trafficking ring. They arrested a total of 17 suspects.
OECD significantly lowers Swiss GDP forecast due to Trump
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The Swiss economy is likely to grow more slowly in 2025 and 2026 than previously assumed, according to the OECD economic organisation.
UBS economists more confident about Swiss economy in 2025
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UBS economists have revised upwards their estimates of Swiss GDP growth for the current year. However, they are more pessimistic for next year, due to the spectre of US tariffs.
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Huge turnout for women’s strike in Switzerland
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Women across Switzerland have taken to the streets on Friday to demand equal treatment and conditions compared with their male counterparts.
Women’s strike should be a wake-up call for Swiss companies
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Catalyst's Allyson Zimmermann on why a fairer workforce is good for business and what companies can do close the gender gap.
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Decentralisation was one reason for the unusually strong turnout at the Swiss women's strike on June 14. But what are the weaknesses of this approach?
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