Responding to two proposals from parliament, it argued “the binary gender model is still strongly anchored in Swiss society”, in a statement published on Wednesday.
“The social preconditions for the introduction of a third gender or for a general waiver of the gender entry in the civil registry currently are not there,” it added.
Such options would require too many changes to the country’s constitution and to laws both at national and cantonal levels, according to the government.
A national ethics commission found in a 2020 report that the time wasn’t yet right for a change to the system.
Unlike neighbouring Germany and Austria, people in Switzerland are entered into the civil registry as male or female, with no other option.
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Gender-neutral language: an issue for the ballot box?
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As more public and private media try to communicate gender neutrally, some say it’s a distraction from real issues. How can you legislate on language?
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to cut around 3,500 jobs as a result of financial cuts linked in particular to US decisions. Hundreds of temporary contracts will also be cut, the UN agency said in Geneva on Monday.
Swiss government to help cantons in expelling rejected asylum-seekers
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The federal government is to provide greater relief and support to the cantons when it comes to deporting people who are not entitled to asylum in Switzerland. This is what Parliament wants. After the National Council, the Council of States also adopted a corresponding proposal on Monday.
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One in four people in Switzerland feel stressed often or almost always. Among the under-30s, the figure is as high as 40 per cent. This is according to the "Health Forecast" study financed by health insurer Sanitas.
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The permafrost in the Swiss Alps is thawing faster and faster. The thawed top layers of permafrost have never been as thick as they were last year. This is shown by the latest data from the Swiss permafrost monitoring network Permos.
Landslide in Blatten causes CHF320 million in damage
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The landslide in Blatten VS and the resulting floods caused damage totalling CHF 320 million. Around CHF 260 million of this was due to damage to buildings and household contents, according to estimates by Swiss private insurers.
Swiss village of Brienz closed due to landslide risk
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The Graubünden village of Brienz was closed again on Monday due to the risk of landslides. Rock masses on the mountain above the village recently accelerated to such an extent that they are threatening to collapse. The inhabitants have been evacuated since last November.
Failure to help rape victims remains unpunishable in Switzerland
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Failing to come to the aid of a rape victim will remain unpunishable. Against the advice of the National Council, the Council of States on Monday rejected by 30 votes to 13 a Socialist parliamentary initiative to review the current law.
Swiss parliament calls for pilot project for digital signature collection
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The electronic collection of signatures for initiatives and referendums is to be trialled in a pilot project. After the Council of States, the National Council also approved a corresponding proposal on Monday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Hundreds of Swiss change gender using simplified process
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Several hundred people in Switzerland have changed their gender since the introduction of a simplified process on January 1.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.