Record-Breaking Number of Women in Swiss Parliament (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

97 women out of 246 seats: a new historic record is achieved

Contesto

In breve 97 donne ora occupano i seggi del Parlamento svizzero Un nuovo record storico superando le 96 donne del 2019 Il Consiglio nazionale guida il cambiamento con 82 donne su 200 seggi

Dettagli operativi

Analysis of the phenomenon The progress in female representation within the Swiss Parliament is not accidental, but the result of years of cross-party efforts. Kathrin Bertschy, National Councilor for the Green Liberals and co-president of Alliance F, emphasizes the importance of precise party strategies in increasing the female presence. Left-wing parties, such as the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP), focused on gender balance early on, introducing gender quotas as far back as the 1990s. Other parties, such as The Centre, made significant strides in 2023 across many cantons, including the Canton of Zurich, where women now represent 40% of the candidates. However, gaps remain in parties such as the FDP and especially the SVP, which in 2023 had 25% and 15% of elected women, respectively. > 'Female representation is an issue that requires constant commitment and targeted strategies,' states Kathrin Bertschy. ### Future perspectives Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Alliance F will relaunch the cross-party mobilization 'Helvetia calls!', a program that networks women interested in politics with mentors, covering everything from joining a party to the electoral campaign. Political scientist Cloé Jans emphasizes that equal opportunities are now a societal given and that parties will need to present balanced lists in the next elections. An example of best practice comes from the Canton of Geneva, where a 2015 cantonal law mandates a minimum representation of 40% women on electoral lists. Parties that fail to meet this quota are subject to sanctions. Key points for parties include the implementation of gender quotas, training for female candidates, and the adoption of policies supporting the balance between work and family life. ## Recommended tools For an upd...

Punti chiave

Practical implications and future actions Achieving this historic record in female representation has significant practical implications. Women in politics can influence decisions on crucial issues such as pay equity, social security, and family policies. For example, the Canton of Geneva implemented a pay equity law in 2019, which led to a 4.2% reduction in the pay gap between men and women in the first two years of its application. For citizens, this means potentially more inclusive and representative policies. > 'Female representation in politics is essential to ensure that decisions reflect the needs of the entire population,' as emphasized by National Councilor Marina Carobbio. In Switzerland, the average pay gap between men and women is still 12.4% according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). To assess pay differences and plan their retirement, citizens can consult our salary calculator. Additionally, with our dedicated pension tool, it's possible to analyze how gender policies can impact their future financial situation. - Check your average sector salary - Use the calculator to assess pay differences - Plan your pension with our dedicated tool This way, citizens can better understand how gender policies can impact their daily life and finances. Source: rsi.ch

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How many women are now in the Swiss Parliament?","a":"97 women out of 246 total seats."},{"q":"What has been the change compared to 2019?","a":"The number of women has increased from 96 to 97."},{"q":"Which chamber of Parliament has more women?","a":"The National Council with 82 women out of 200 seats."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
How many women are now in the Swiss Parliament?
97 women out of 246 total seats.
What has been the change compared to 2019?
The number of women has increased from 96 to 97.
Which chamber of Parliament has more women?
The National Council with 82 women out of 200 seats.

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