In Switzerland, on Friday, thousands of people took part in a 24-hour nationwide protest to highlight the country’s poor record on gender equality and the gender pay gap.
The umbrella movement — which includes women from trade unions, feminist groups and women’s rights organizations — argues that one of the world’s richest nations has given half of its population a poor deal.
The action comes nearly three decades after women held the country’s first nationwide strike for equal pay.
Demonstrations, workshops and marches were scheduled in towns and cities across the country throughout the day, with a nationwide walkout timed for 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET).
Data from Switzerland’s Federal Statistics Office claims that on average, in full-time employment, Swiss women earn 19.6% less than men. While that number has dropped by nearly a third over the last three decades, the discrimination gap — the gap in pay that has no explainable reason — is on the rise.
The Women’s Strike Geneva Committee, who co-organized the movement, have called for better protections for women facing domestic violence and abuse, migrant women and domestic workers, increased parental leave and support for the LGBTQ community, among others.
By Enei
Publié le 19 juin 2019
