Swiss women strike for equality in the workplace

Women across Switzerland walked out of their jobs, burned bras and blocked traffic in June, for a day of demonstrations to demand fairer pay, more equality, and an end to sexual harassment and violence.

It was the first such protest in Switzerland in 28 years.

Female politicians were among those the hundreds of thousands that officially stopped work, with a wide range of industries and businesses affected. Among their demands were for the government to fund higher pay specifically for domestic workers, teachers, and caregivers – where women make up a significant majority of the workforce.

The Swiss Federal Statistics office says women earn an average 12% less than men for similar work.