Survey reveals discrimination problem within the army
Published: Thursday, Oct 31st 2024, 15:20
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Almost half of members of the armed forces have experienced gender-based discrimination and sexualized violence during their career. These are the findings of a study commissioned by the Swiss Confederation. The army leadership is therefore taking measures.
According to the army, the results of a voluntary and anonymous survey of 1126 members of the armed forces conducted at the beginning of 2023 show a need for action. According to the survey, almost 50 percent of participants were affected by discrimination during their service from the end of recruit school, as the army announced on Thursday.
40 percent of respondents stated that they had experienced verbal, non-verbal or physical sexualized violence. 81 percent reported that they had rarely to very often been confronted with sexist remarks and jokes on duty.
Anonymous reporting tool planned
Now the army leadership wants to strengthen the protection of members of the armed forces. It has defined six areas of action with a total of 16 measures. These include the reporting of disciplinary cases due to discrimination and sexualized violence, a working group for victim protection and the introduction of an anonymous reporting tool. "Processes in the reporting and procedural system should become faster, lower-threshold and simpler," it said.
In addition, members of all levels of the armed forces are to be made more aware of the issue of discrimination. A self-commitment through a code of conduct and an exchange platform for army cadres are planned.
In addition, manuals and information sheets are to be created or revised, conflict management is to be trained and specialist and support services are to receive further training. A new specialist group in the area of sexual offenses is to strengthen cooperation between the army and the military justice system.
Dialogue with other organizations such as the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) is also to be expanded. Finally, the army is launching a web dossier on the topic, including images and an action plan.
Follow-up study planned
According to its own statements, the army leadership has been committed to a zero tolerance strategy since 2023. The Women in the Armed Forces and Diversity specialist unit had already been created beforehand. The new measures are intended to accelerate the cultural change in the army, according to the statement. The army should become "a place where trusting, reliable and respectful cooperation is ensured".
An interim evaluation of the additional measures is planned for the second half of 2026. The Armed Forces plan to conduct another survey on discrimination and sexualized violence in 2027. This will measure how effective the measures were.
The current survey was conducted by the Women in the Armed Forces and Diversity Unit together with the Yougov Switzerland research institute (formerly Link). The survey took place from January to March 2023. 764 women and 362 men took part in the anonymous survey.
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