Forty years ago today women gained the right to vote in Swiss federal elections. Despite this development coming long after suffrage movements in other countries, a fair bit of resistance to female voters remained in Switzerland.
Political scientist and pollster Claude Longchamp told public television some difficulties still linger. (Audio link)
“The parties are still a bastion for men, and therefore elections aren’t so attractive for women, and they go less often,” he said.
“They also have less chance to be nominated or elected themselves.“
Still, the progress is evident at the top level of Swiss government—four of the seven seats on the Federal Council (cabinet) are held by women.
Source: WRS | Despite women’s voting rights, hurdles remain.