Published on 24 August 2023

Gender equality in the legislative process

In dispatches on bills, the Federal Council is required to outline the consequences for gender equality (Art. 141 para. 2 letter i Parliament Act). The federal offices are responsible for carrying out gender equality impact assessments.

The Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) provides the federal offices with working tools. These tools are coordinated with the existing tools in place (Legislation Guide, presentation guidelines for Federal Council Dispatches) and are based on impact assessment techniques already available in the Federal Council (in particular regulatory impact assessment [RIA]).

Working tools

For gender equality impact assessment in dispatches on bills:

  • The preliminary examination is used to determine whether an impact assessment is required (Preliminary examination in German or French).
  • The report contains a questionnaire, the results of which can be included in the Federal Council’s message in order to explain the consequences for gender equality (Report in German or French).
  • The guide explains and illustrates the questions asked in the report (Guide in German or French).

Further instruments

in German, French or Italian only:

Legistische Hauptinstrumente

Leitfaden für Botschaften des Bundesrates 

Regulierungsfolgenabschätzung (RFA) 

Nachhaltigkeitsbeurteilung 

Two hurdles are shown on a red running track with four lanes. The hurdles represent the barriers to equality.

24 August 2023

Gender equality in Switzerland

Gender equality has not yet been achieved. Switzerland is committed to equality before the law and in practice in various areas.

More about «Gender equality in Switzerland»