Responding to two proposals from parliament, it argued “the binary gender model is still strongly anchored in Swiss society”, in a statement published on Wednesday.
“The social preconditions for the introduction of a third gender or for a general waiver of the gender entry in the civil registry currently are not there,” it added.
Such options would require too many changes to the country’s constitution and to laws both at national and cantonal levels, according to the government.
A national ethics commission found in a 2020 report that the time wasn’t yet right for a change to the system.
Unlike neighbouring Germany and Austria, people in Switzerland are entered into the civil registry as male or female, with no other option.
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Gender-neutral language: an issue for the ballot box?
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As more public and private media try to communicate gender neutrally, some say it’s a distraction from real issues. How can you legislate on language?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
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The train line between Täsch and Zermatt in southwestern Switzerland was interrupted again on Wednesday morning by another rockfall.
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Swiss carry out record number of civilian service days
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Members of the civilian service completed a record 1.9 million days of service in 2024, a 3.5% increase on the previous year.
Initiative aims to curb lobbying in Swiss parliament
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A new popular initiative wants to put the brakes on lobbying in federal politics. Members of the Federal Assembly with vested interests are the target.
Soda lakes: Swiss researchers discover clues to origin of life
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Life on Earth could have originated four billion years ago in large soda lakes, according to researchers at the Swiss federal technology institute ETH Zurich.
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Geneva Airport recorded a clear increase in both revenue and, in particular, profit in 2024. The airport has now almost fully recovered from the Covid slump.
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At around 11:20am on Saturday the moon will begin to move in front of the sun in Switzerland. However, it will not completely cover it.
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.
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Hundreds of Swiss change gender using simplified process
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Several hundred people in Switzerland have changed their gender since the introduction of a simplified process on January 1.
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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.