Swiss women who have been deployed in peace-building operations abroad without having completed recruit school should be able to join the militia army directly. The army has launched a project to this end.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Eleven of the 28 women participating in the Swiss army’s peacekeeping contingents, Swisscoy in Kosovo and Eufor in Bosnia, have applied for direct integration into the army as part of this project.
The aim is to increase the proportion of women in the army and to retain their knowledge and skills, according to an army statementExternal link on Monday. Under current regulations they cannot be assigned directly to the militia army after deployment abroad.
These women are recruited for six-month appointments with contingents abroad and undergo three months of basic and specialised military training. “After nine months they have military skills and are used to operating in a military environment. However, they are not assigned to the militia army and their potential is lost to the military,” the army said.
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.
The different phases of training during these engagements are comparable to those of the recruit school in terms of content, objective and intensity, according to an army analysis. The two basic training courses are therefore equivalent.
“The recognition of this equivalence in training is intended to enable female members of the contingent to be assigned to the militia army directly and on a voluntary basis,” the statement 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
Switzerland’s militia system – a tradition under threat
This content was published on
The Swiss militia system is one of the cornerstones of participatory democracy in Switzerland. But what’s behind this concept?
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
Swiss set record for world’s longest hyperloop test
This content was published on
Swiss scientists have established a record for
the longest-ever hyperloop journey at a facility in Lausanne, Switzerland. They aim to test technology that could be used in new-generation high-speed transport systems.
This content was published on
The Swiss army wants to purchase new German armoured howitzers to replace its existing artillery system which has been in operation for over 50 years.
Poll suggests Donald Trump has many fans in Switzerland
This content was published on
Around a quarter of Swiss citizens would vote for Donald Trump if they had the chance, according to a recent poll. This percentage is higher than in many other European countries.
Swiss court rejects special assistance for student with disabilities
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Court has rejected an application for special assistance from a student with disabilities at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
Police arrest 15 drug dealers in Verbier in southern Switzerland
This content was published on
Swiss and French police have arrested 15 suspected drug dealers operating in the mountain resort of Verbier in southern Switzerland.
New European space tech centre in Switzerland launches its first project
This content was published on
The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), launched in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), is to be located in the immediate vicinity of the PSI in northern Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Railways launches campaign for safety on public transport
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways is launching a campaign for greater respect and safety on public transport, with posters to go up in stations and on trains starting next week.
Swiss scientists to use AI for improved weather and climate forecasts
This content was published on
MeteoSwiss and the Swiss Data Science Center have signed a four-year agreement to make greater use of AI in meteorology and climatology going forward.
This content was published on
Prices of owner-occupied homes rose in the third quarter of 2024 by 0.5%, with inflation affecting both apartments and single-family houses, says the Federal Statistical Office.
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
Parliament extends and beefs up Swiss peacekeeping mission in Kosovo
This content was published on
Lawmakers in Switzerland have approved an extension to the Swisscoy peacekeeping mission in Kosovo until the end of 2023. The armed peacekeeping force will also be strengthened.
This content was published on
Fifty years after getting the right to vote, women are better represented in the Swiss parliament than ever. But this is deceptive.
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.