Last year the head of the Swiss army, Thomas Süssli, said he wanted to increase the number of women in military roles from the present level to 10% by 2030.
Keystone / Peter Schneider
A defence ministry report has outlined measures to encourage the integration in the Swiss army of more women, who currently hold 0.9% of military roles.
To mark International Women’s Day on Monday, the ministry published a long-awaited reportExternal link entitled “Women in the Army”, drawn up by a defence working group. It includes a series of measures to boost the percentage of Swiss women in military roles.
One of the main proposals is the creation of a special service for women aimed at promoting and coordinating female participation in the army. A more in-depth external study on the situation of women in the army has been commissioned.
To encourage higher involvement, the report says it is important to encourage “the reconciliation between military service, training, work and family life”.
Professional military personnel must be given the opportunity to work part-time and childcare issues must be clarified, it added.
It also advocated additional training for army officers to help them deal with cases of discrimination, sexism and violence.
Army accommodation must also be renovated or built to ensure it is correctly adapted for female recruits.
‘Motivated and involved’
Last year the head of the Swiss army, Thomas Süssli, said he wanted to increase the number of women in military roles from the present level to 10% by 2030.
“In our experience, women in the military are especially motivated and involved. They often bring fresh ways of thinking,” Süssli said.
All able-bodied Swiss men are called up to do military service from the age of 19. If declared fit for military service – as on average two-thirds of conscripts are – the only way out is to opt for civilian community service on ethical grounds. Military service is optional for women.
More
More
Swiss army chief wants more women in military
This content was published on
Switzerland’s head of the army Thomas Süssli wants to increase the number of women in military roles from the present 0.8% to 10% by 2030.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Army moves to retain women who have served abroad
This content was published on
The Swiss army says women who have served in a peace-building operation abroad should be able to join the militia army directly.
This content was published on
Switzerland’s head of the army Thomas Süssli wants to increase the number of women in military roles from the present 0.8% to 10% by 2030.
This content was published on
Women haven’t always been part of the army in Switzerland. This is the story of how they’re becoming more and more accepted.
This content was published on
A system of men and women volunteers, instead of conscription, would lead to more equality in the armed forces and put Switzerland in line with many European countries, according to the women’s chapter of the centre-left Social Democratic Party. The Swiss Society of Officers opposes the move, saying it would result in a shortage of…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.