Keystone
Whether blocking trams in Zurich or lighting a Lausanne church purple, scores of women – more than 300,000 according to unions – rallied in Switzerland on Wednesday to mark National Feminist Strike Day.
This day in many big and small cities, under the sun, with the sound of drums, chants and songs, ended with this year’s watchword: “Respect, Time, Money !”
Across the country, with less frequent demonstrations, “more than 300,000 people took part in a feminist strike day”, the Swiss Trade Union (USS) of twenty affiliated unions pointed out at the end of the day.
“For the USSI, it is clear that this day must be quickly followed by concrete measures, especially regarding pay,” added the country’s largest workers’ organization, which is calling for action against sexism, especially in the workplace.
Historical study
Resurrected by a new generation of activists in 2019 after the first edition in 1991 had no follow-up, the day of mobilization encourages people to leave work early to fight against persistent wage inequality and denounce discrimination, harassment and gender-based condemnation. Violence.
In a country where women were given the right to vote in 1971, June 14, 1981, commemorates the adoption of the principle of equality between women and men in the Constitution.
“My uterus, my choice”, “Quality men promise equality” or “Equal rights for others does not mean less rights for you”, the demonstrators wrote on their placards.
On the Zurich side
In Zurich, where tens of thousands of protesters marched, the strike led to the postponement of a municipal parliament session as a sign of solidarity with protesters, according to media reports.
According to Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS, nearly 300 people blocked tram traffic in a city square before being dispersed by police.
Happiness and fighting spirit
Pan concerts, gatherings in squares, and musical excursions punctuated the day not only in the big cities but also in the smaller ones.
Dressed in pink, purple or mauve, tens of thousands of women of all generations demonstrated in Lausanne, Geneva or Bern, in joyful and warlike situations.
In the capital, they organized a rally in the square in front of the Federal Palace, the seat of parliament and government. “We will fight until we achieve equality for all people in this country!” She raised her fist.
According to the USS, “Today’s strong mobilization shows that women’s equality in professional life and in society must now really advance, and it will”.
The idea of a strike again was born a few years ago under the instigation of the trade unions, as the latter failed to introduce, during the revision of the law on equality between women and men in 2018, sanctions against companies that violate the policy equal pay.
Policy developments
In Switzerland, recognition of women’s rights has come a long way. In recent years, progress has been made such as the decriminalization of abortion in 2002 and 14 weeks of maternity leave in 2005.
In 2021, a two-week paternity leave will come into effect, but the limited and expensive places in childcare centers are a major handicap for women’s professional activity. TTY
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