Switzerland

Women in the Labor Force

Seventy-five percent of Swiss women are in the labor force, as compared to 87 percent of men. Women's income overall is about 66 percent that of men. Women constitute 29 percent of Switzerland's Parliament members and 43 percent of government ministerial positions. Ruth Dreifuss was the first woman elected President of the Confederation (head of state) in 1999. Other women prominent in Swiss government include Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, since 2007 head of the Department of Justice; Doris Leuthard, since 2006 head of Economic Affairs; and Micheline Calmy-Rey, since 2002 head of Foreign Affairs.

Swiss women enjoy a high level of support for maternity childcare and gynecological concerns, although less than that provided by some other northern European countries. Maternity leave pays 80 percent of salary for 98 days, and family allowances are paid to parents with children, generally up to age 16 or 19. The level of support and age qualifications is set by each canton or territory. However, childcare is a problem, as it is handled separately by each canton and the number of places is generally considered insufficient.

[Page 1431]Abortion is available on demand, and 82 percent of Swiss women have reported using contraceptives. All births are attended by skilled health personnel, and the infant and maternal mortality ratios are low at four per 1,000 live births and five per 100,000 live births, respectively. Save the Children ranks Switzerland 14th out of 43 More Developed Countries on its Mothers’ Index, 16th on its Woman's Index and 17th on its Children's Index.