Switzerland-wide campaigns planned for International Women’s Day
Published: Friday, Mar 8th 2024, 04:40
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To mark International Women's Day, trade unions and women's organizations will be holding various campaigns throughout Switzerland on Friday to draw attention to shortcomings in women's rights and equality. More than 300 women will also be welcomed to the Federal Palace.
The President of the Council of States, Eva Herzog (SP/BS), will welcome more than 300 women from all over Switzerland from a broad spectrum to the Federal Palace for the traditional reception. The focus of the meeting will be on women's financial independence and the international security situation for women.
The program includes an exchange with President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric. Former Federal Councillors Ruth Metzler, Ruth Dreifuss and Simonetta Sommaruga and entrepreneurs Rosmarie Michel and Danièle Felley will offer workshops.
The employee association Travail Suisse and the trade union Syna present the evaluation report on the revised Gender Equality Act to President Amherd. Travail Suisse is also planning various decentralized campaigns. The trade union umbrella organization wants to use flyers to draw attention to the blacklist of companies that disregard equality.
Concrete progress required
March 8 is the International Women's Day of Struggle for Equal Rights and Wages. According to trade unions, women's wages are still on average 43 percent lower than men's and women's pensions are a third lower. The trade union umbrella organizations are calling for concrete progress, particularly with regard to childcare and wage discrimination.
Various campaigns are planned throughout Switzerland on Friday. The trade union Unia, for example, is addressing sexual harassment in the hospitality and industrial sectors. "My body is not your beer" is one of the slogans.
A film evening is planned in Biel and a meeting of the feminist strike in Lucerne. In Zurich, there will be a trade union walk with stops at various restaurants. There will also be a rally against the murder of women.
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