Gender equality and women's rights
Gender equality is a prerequisite for social change and economic development. It enables respect for human rights and the establishment of sustainable peace. But the rights of women and girls come under pressure time and again. As part of its foreign policy, Switzerland specifically promotes gender equality and women's rights.
Gender equality, respect for the rights of women and girls, and the prohibition of all forms of gender-based discrimination are fundamental principles under the Federal Constitution and Swiss law generally, and form an integral part of Switzerland's human rights diplomacy.
Switzerland's human rights diplomacy work reflects the commitments it made in ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).
Switzerland's foreign policy is guided by five strategic objectives defined in the FDFA Strategy on Gender Equality and Women's Rights:
- Strengthening women's economic empowerment
- Strengthening women's effective participation
- Combating all forms of gender-based violence
- Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Incorporating gender equality and women's rights at the heart of bilateral and multilateral work
Switzerland's international contribution to gender equality is also expressly set out in the national 2030 Gender Equality Strategy adopted by the Federal Council in 2021.
Switzerland's human rights diplomacy pursues these strategic objectives at both bilateral and multilateral level. Switzerland actively promotes its priorities within numerous regional and international organisations and multilateral forums.
Switzerland addresses gender equality and women's rights issues in bilateral political consultations and dialogue on human rights. In addition, Switzerland makes financial contributions to projects and organisations that work specifically to strengthen women's rights and promote gender equality.
Women's Human Rights app
Switzerland has developed the Women's Human Rights app (W's HR app) which provides easy access to international legal instruments and UN documents. The app is a digital database covering key women's rights issues.
Contact
State Secretariat STS-FDFA
Peace and Human Rights Division
Effingerstrasse 27
3003 Bern