The aim of the meeting, organised by government minister Simonetta Sommaruga, was to exchange experiences and knowledge and to improve networking across the regions.
“Valuable work is being done for the public in city and municipal councils,” the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications ministry said in a statementExternal link on Saturday. “If all the cogs work well together, then finances are balanced, infrastructure can be expanded and maintained according to needs, and jobs can be created.”
In addition to such long-term challenges, these women also have to deal with urgent short-term problems, the ministry said. For example, because of the war in Ukraine, they are currently having to quickly find accommodation for refugees, make it possible for Ukrainian children to attend school or provide social assistance.
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Women in Swiss politics: still a long way to go
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Fifty years after getting the right to vote, women are better represented in the Swiss parliament than ever. But this is deceptive.
Sommaruga, who herself used to be a member of an executive at the municipal level, drew on this experience to praise the women’s work. “What thrives in cities and municipalities has an impact on the whole country. Because they are the basis of Switzerland. It is therefore all the more important that women also play an active role there,” she said.
There are almost 2,150 municipalities in Switzerland, of which around 350 are led by a woman. That corresponds to about 16%.
“This 16% is relevant and the women play an important function as role models,” the ministry said. “They exemplify how women can successfully participate in shaping and exerting influence.” It pointed out that in the House of Representatives and the government the percentage of women is significantly higher. Three out of seven government ministersExternal link are women.
“In municipalities, a correspondingly large amount of female potential is lying idle,” Sommaruga said. This potential should be exploited, “for the country, for our future and for the entire population”.
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How the women’s strike is affecting politics in Switzerland
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What concrete political changes, if any, are set to emerge from last week’s historic women’s strike in Switzerland?
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A man injured half a dozen people with knives, two of them seriously, before being arrested on Wednesday in northern Switzerland.
Switzerland to introduce flight passenger database
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Switzerland plans to introduce a flight passenger database to collect and process personal data in a bid to combat terrorism and serious crime.
Government plans to invest over CHF16bn in Swiss rail network
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The federal government intends to invest CHF16.4 billion ($18.1 billion) in railway infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, CHF2 billion more than for the current period.
Swiss to vote on pension reform and biodiversity in September
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Swiss citizens will vote on occupational pension schemes and a biodiversity initiative on September 22, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday.
Ukraine peace talks: 50 countries have confirmed participation
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To date, 50 countries out 160 invited delegations have confirmed they will attend the Ukraine peace conference, held in central Switzerland in mid-June, according to Swiss public radio, RTS.
Federer-backed On boosts forecast after sneaker demand rises
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Swiss footwear company On Holding AG posted strong first-quarter revenue, boosted by demand for its running shoes and new line of training apparel.
Michael Schumacher’s watches fetch CHF4 million at Swiss auction
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Watches belonging to Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher sold for around CHF4 million ($4.41 million) at auction house Christie's in Geneva on Tuesday.
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Gender wage gap barely moves in Switzerland
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Women earn on average 11% less than men for doing the same job in Switzerland, according to the latest official survey of wages.
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Switzerland gave women the right to vote on February 7, 1971. The Alpine nation was one of the last to introduce women suffrage.
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