Showcasing the roles of women in Switzerland

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Groundbreaking ceremony in 1957: four women representing the four national languages Keystone

Admiring the view across Lake Zurich Keystone

Visiting mothers could leave their babies with professional nannies RDB

Plumber's delight: an example of a modern bathroom RDB

A family learns about gender equality. RDB

The master hairdressers' association launched a new hairdo, which it called "Incroyable" – French for "incredible" Keystone

Dominican nuns talk to a visitor about their work RDB

On show: a career woman Keystone

Female soldiers, who were in a supporting role rather than engaged in combat, give a demonstration RDB

In addition to day care services, the expo provided entertainment for male visitors RDB

Grilling sausages on "Girls' Day" Keystone

A boat has "exploded" – prompting a first aid demonstration RDB

Young people hit the dance floor Keystone

Formed with rubble, the island was created especially for the expo Keystone

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Held in Zurich in 1958, the "Saffa" exposition showcased the work of Swiss women, who at that time did not have the right to vote. The two-month event highlighted their contributions to their families, their jobs and to society as a whole.

Organised by major national women’s groups, the motto of the expo was “the life cycle of women in family, work and state”. In keeping with the traditional image of women in the 1950s, the expo promoted the following curriculum vitae: training and employment before marriage, motherhood and homemaking after that, and then a return to the workforce once the children had grown up. Prior to the first nationwide vote on women’s suffrage, Swiss women didn’t lobby very hard in favour of their political rights. On February 1, 1959, two thirds of the voters – all male – decided against giving women the right to vote. (Photos: Keystone, RDB)