Cooperation in Switzerland and internationally
The FOGE promotes cooperation and networking within the Federal Administration and between the Confederation, cantons, communes and non-governmental organisations. It represents Switzerland in international organisations working towards gender equality and the rights of LGBTIQ persons.
Cooperation to promote gender equality takes place at both national and international levels.
Cooperation in Switzerland
The goal of the Gender Equality Strategy is to achieve equality between women and men in economic, family and social life.
The FOGE is responsible for monitoring measures to this effect and updating the action plan. An interdepartmental committee led by the FOGE ensures that the strategy is incorporated in the Federal Administration.
As an advisory body of the Confederation, the FCWI is concerned with all issues relating to the situation of women in Switzerland and gender equality.
The Directorate of the FOGE is an ex officio member of the FCWI and participates in the plenary assembly as an advisor. Administratively, the FCWI secretariat team is also assigned to the FOGE.
Federal Commission for Women's Issues FCWI
The Swiss Conference of Gender Equality Delegates is the association of public offices for the promotion of gender equality in the Confederation, cantons and cities.
The Director of the FOGE is a member of the board of the Swiss Conference of Gender Equality Delegates. The FOGE chairs the conference’s «Legal Issues» working group.
Konferenz der Gleichstellungsbeauftragten SKG
Implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Switzerland
On behalf of the Federal Council, the FOGE coordinates implementation of the Istanbul Convention at federal level. It works closely with the Swiss Conference against Domestic Violence (SKHG), a body tasked by the Conference of Cantonal Directors of Social Services (CDSS) and the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors (CCJPD) with implementing the Istanbul Convention.
Konferenz der kantonalen Sozialdirektorinnen und Sozialdirektoren SODK
Konferenz der Kantonalen Justiz- und Polizeidirektorinnen und -direktoren KKJPD
Schweizerische Konferenz gegen Häusliche Gewalt SKHG
With regard to gender equality policy issues in the Federal Administration, the FOGE also works together with various offices of the Federal Administration, and with various cantonal conferences on a project basis.
International cooperation
Involvement in international bodies
The CSW is a commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This is the only UN body dedicated exclusively to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, and also allows civil society organisations to participate in its annual session.
The FOGE participates in the annual session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
UN Commission on the Status of Women CSW
The goals of the GEC are to help ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality into all Council of Europe policies and to bridge the gap between commitments made at international level and the reality of women in Europe. The Commission, whose members are appointed by member states, provides advice, guidance and support to other Council of Europe bodies and to member states.
The FOGE represents Switzerland as a member of the Gender Equality Commission of the Council of Europe.
Gender Equality Commission
The GMG brings together OECD gender equality delegates with the goal of closing the gaps in gender equality.
The FOGE represents Switzerland at the office of the GMG.
Working Party on Gender Mainstreaming and Governance
EPIC is led by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UN Women and the OECD. Its goal is to achieve equal pay for women and men in all countries.
The FOGE represents Switzerland on the EPIC Steering Committee.
Equal Pay International Coalition EPIC
International agreements
Switzerland has ratified a number of international agreements that make an important contribution to promoting gender equality:
- Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention).
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Upon ratification, parties to the Convention must submit regular reports on the progress of implementation. These reports are presented to the United Nations CEDAW Committee, which acknowledges what has been achieved and formulates recommendations for further action. The FOGE plays a leading role in drawing up the reports. Here you will find the latest recommendations of the CEDAW Committee. Further publications can be found here.
- United Nations Covenant I, Article 3 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (compare the information provided by SECO, Follow-up to the recommendations of UN Covenant I) and Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (United Nations Covenant II, see the information provided by the Federal Office of Justice, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).