With nearly 26% of its foreign-born population, Switzerland addresses a broad spectrum of diversity and inclusion issues beyond just those related to foreigners. This includes, for example, ensuring equal opportunities for men and women and integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. What steps has Switzerland taken to promote diversity and inclusion?
Prohibition of discrimination in the Swiss Constitution
The Swiss Federal Constitution states that everyone is equal before the law and prohibits discrimination based on origin, language, lifestyle, or religious beliefs.
The Confederation has implemented various measures to enforce this anti-discrimination principle, which are detailed later in this article.
However, enacting a ban alone is not enough to eliminate discrimination. According to a recent survey by the Confederation's Service for Combating Racism, 17% of people report having been victims of discrimination, and one-third of immigrants say they have experienced racism.
Equal opportunities and gender equality in Switzerland
The principle of equal opportunities for women and men is integrated at all levels of Swiss society.
Here are some of the principles and measures taken by the country:
- In the workplace, Switzerland has enacted laws to ensure equal pay for men and women performing work of equal value.
- Some regions in Switzerland have implemented gender quotas for company boards to promote better representation of women in management roles.
- Regarding pregnancy and parental leave, there are protective measures ensuring that women cannot be dismissed during pregnancy or legal parental leave. Employers must also offer them an equivalent position upon their return. For more details, see our article on pregnancy in Switzerland.
- The country also works to ensure equal access to education and employment for women, particularly by encouraging their involvement in technical and scientific fields.
Multiculturalism and multilingualism in Switzerland
Swiss society is both multicultural and multilingual, and the Swiss Confederation aims to leverage this diversity as a strength.
For instance, the federal administration ensures that all linguistic regions are proportionally represented and that employees from different language communities have equal opportunities. Additionally, all official Confederation websites are available in French, German, and Italian.
Switzerland has established several programs to ease the transition into society and support the integration of new immigrants and refugees.
These programs include language and integration courses to help migrants learn the dominant language of their region, as well as career guidance to assist them in finding employment. Additionally, immigrants have access to advice and support services on various aspects of life in Switzerland, such as housing, healthcare, education, and legal matters.
Integration of disabled people in Switzerland
A federal law promoting equality for people with disabilities took effect in 2002, and Switzerland has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This includes implementing accessibility standards for public spaces, encouraging the employment of disabled individuals, providing subsidies to employers who hire people with special needs, and making workplace adaptations.
A recent evaluation by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities indicates that Switzerland still has room for improvement in how it upholds the rights of people with disabilities.
Actors for diversity and inclusion in Switzerland
In Switzerland, diversity and inclusion involve many stakeholders, including government and civil society initiatives.
For example, same-sex marriage was legalized starting in 2022 following a popular vote. Additionally, the Swiss government is supporting other measures for the LGBTIQI community. This includes simplifying the gender reassignment process, which now only requires a declaration to the civil registry office rather than a medical examination.
The Federal Office for Gender Equality also deals with the issue of equality for LGBTIQI people.
Universities and schools are also dedicated to inclusion and diversity. For instance, universities issue annual calls for projects aimed at promoting equal opportunities and diversity.
Swiss companies are actively working to promote diversity in their workforce. Many have implemented recruitment policies that support this goal and offer training programs to foster an inclusive work environment and address gender stereotypes.
Non-governmental organizations also contribute by helping to welcome and integrate migrants.
Additionally, initiatives like the Swiss Diversity platform provide a space for discussing ideas and actions on how Switzerland can further develop its diversity.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
