Swiss Congress for the Interests of Women

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The Swiss Congress for the Interests of Women (also known as the Swiss Women's Congress ) took place for the first time on September 8th to 12th, 1896 as part of the Swiss National Exhibition in Geneva . The congress was the reason that the Swiss women's movement moved into the center of public interest for the first time and was perceived as a serious political force.

First Congress on Women's Interests, Geneva, 1896

The aim of the congress was to inform the population about the work of women outside the home. Practically all of the larger women's associations of the time took part. The program of the congress was very broad and encompassed schooling and vocational training for girls, employment of women, voluntary social work, but also aspects of civil, criminal and matrimonial law as well as matrimonial property law. In particular, the demand for women's suffrage was discussed very controversially.

Several (male) speakers at the congress called on women to «be allies of men and not their enemies» - and yet please hold back a little with their demands. As a result of this congress, the first parliamentary commission with the aim of examining the « women's question » was established.

Second Congress for Women's Interests, Bern, 1921

In 1921 the second national congress for women's interests took place in Bern. This congress was dominated by the disappointment and disenchantment that reigned after the rejection of women at the polls in six cantons. At this congress, the right of women to work , equal pay for women and men and improved vocational training for women were called for. Gender-specific occupational fields, on the other hand, were not questioned, i. H. there was no demand that women should have more access to male professions. The Swiss Catholic Women's Federation (SKF) and the social democrats did not take part.

Third Congress for Women's Interests, Zurich, 1946

The motto of the third national women's congress, which took place in Zurich from September 20 to 24, 1946, was “Women in responsible work among the Swiss people”. 67 women's associations took part in the event. The rural women’s association was also there for the first time. The Social Democrats and Catholics also took part for the first time. The theme of the congress was not political or economic equality, but women as educators, breadwinners and charities.

Fourth Congress for Women's Interests, Bern, 1975

Around 80 organizations took part in the fourth national women's congress in the International Year of Women . In the run-up it became clear that the organizers were trying to avoid the issue of abortion and the then current deadline solution initiative . The radical feminists of the Women's Liberation Movement (FBB) disrupted Congress and forced a discussion on the impunity of abortion. The discussion led to the fact that, despite violent protests by the Catholics, a majority of the congress participants spoke out in favor of the deadline solution initiative.

Further resolutions of this congress concerned the launch of the equality initiative and the demand for a federal office for women's issues. Nonetheless, the traditionally oriented bourgeois women's rights activists tried to slow down the young initiators because they feared that soon after the granting of women's suffrage, no more should be demanded for the moment.

Literature and Sources

  • Compte rendu du premier congrès scolaire suisse tenu les 13, 14 et 15 juillet 1896 à Genève , A. Gavard; sous les auspices du Comité directeur genevois de la Société pédagogique romande, Genève 1897, 181 p. ( table of contents, PDF )
  • Report on the second Swiss Congress for Women's Interests , Bern, 2. – 6. October 1921, Bern 1921, 510 pp. ( Table of contents, PDF )
  • Third Swiss Women's Congress , Zurich, 20. – 24. September 1946 (congress report), Zurich 1947, 195 pages ( table of contents, PDF )
  • Swiss Congress on the International Year of Women 1975 , Bern, January 17-19, 1975 , Zurich: Working group "Switzerland in the Year of Women", 32 pp.
  • 5th Swiss Women's Congress, Visions of our Future , 19.-21.1.1996, Bern, [Ed .: Gabriela Winkler, Ursula Angst-Vonwiller; Ed .: Gabriela Winkler], 1996, 168 pp.

See also

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