From the street to seats of power

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Women and men took part in this march in Zurich in 1970, demanding voting rights for women at both the federal and cantonal level. Keystone

The first woman politician to run for a post in Switzerland's executive body, the Federal Council, was Lilian Uchtenhagen in 1983. She's consoled by members of her Social Democratic Party after losing the vote in parliament. Keystone

One year after Uchtenhagen's defeat, Elisabeth Kopp would be elected, becoming the first female cabinet member. She represented the centre-right Radical party. Keystone

Another setback for women from the Social Democratic Party: in 1993, a majority of parliamentarians rejected the candidature of Christiane Brunner, even though she was the only politician put forward to replace party colleague, René Felber, who had stepped down as foreign affairs minister. Keystone

The rejection of Brunner led to a large demonstration in front of parliament. Keystone

The protests were effective. The man, Francis Matthey, who was elected in her place, refused to accept. The Social Democrats then put forward Brunner again, along with a second woman from their party, Ruth Dreifuss. Dreifuss would win this contest. The leftwing party finally had its woman in the cabinet. Keystone

Over the past few years, there have been as many as four women on the Federal Council. This photo from 2011 also includes the federal chancellor, Corina Casanova (far right). Keystone

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Swiss women were finally granted voting rights in 1971. It would take more than a decade after that to win a seat of power in government.