Location
Building: Géopolis Floor: 2 Room: 2208
Abstract
In some respects, Switzerland is an exception in Western Europe when it comes to gender relations: late and contested female enfranchisment (1971), conservative social division of labour between men and women, late and frugal maternity leave. In other respects, however, Switzerland is situated around the European average, like in terms of women’s political representation or with regards to female employment rates.
This panel explores the exceptionalism thesis and aims to situate ECPG’s 2017 host country in the context of European democracies and thus provide a deeper understanding of the chances for progressive gender equality policies.. The contributions of the panel will explore how the specific features of the Swiss political system – such as strong cooperative federalism, consensus democracy, the federal structure, or recent transformations of the liberal-conservative Swiss welfare regime – have impacted gender relevant policies and politics. Policies covered include Women’s Policy Agencies, equal opportunity policies, parental leave regimes and political participation.
