Swiss women demand measures for childcare, essential workers
One year after a massive women’s strike in Switzerland, an alliance of women’s groups has reaffirmed the need for equal treatment and conditions, and urgent action on issues like childcare during the coronavirus crisis.
Some 50 women’s organisations in the wealthy Alpine nation have sent an open letterExternal link to the Swiss government and parliament demanding better representation of women among decision-makers and action on other specific issues.
The authors also call for modern family-friendly policies to ensure a better balance of professional and private life, greater commitment to combating violence against women and support for migrant women.
Swiss women’s organisations say unequal treatment persists, including lower pay, with women on average earning 20% less than men.
They insist that childcare, which has been a key issue during the pandemic, should be much better regulated in the future. Women provide one billion hours of unpaid childcare, the authors say. The virus laid bare the fact that without extensive family support or grand-parents, Switzerland’s childcare system cannot function properly.
“If we wish to call upon all active women and men to rebuild the Swiss economy, to minimise the shortage of skilled workers and create a new start, then we need in parallel a professional state-financed childcare offensive,” the authors wrote.
The letter also calls for the working conditions and salaries of women in professions deemed “essential” during the pandemic to be better rewarded.
“Around 86% of all nursing staff, 92% of all childcare workers and two-thirds of all retail employees are women. At the same time, it is precisely here that working conditions are miserable and wages are far too low,” it said.
The authors insist that the financing of Covid-19 economic measures should not be made, as in previous crises, via savings in areas that disproportionately affect women.
More
More
Huge turnout for women’s strike in Switzerland
This content was published on
Women across Switzerland have taken to the streets on Friday to demand equal treatment and conditions compared with their male counterparts.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
This content was published on
Women across Switzerland have taken to the streets on Friday to demand equal treatment and conditions compared with their male counterparts.
What it’s like to work as a female artist in Switzerland
This content was published on
Art by women isn’t shown as often in Swiss art museums as art made by men. We brought together three generations of women to share their stories.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.