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Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Authors

Hanna Widrig

Keywords

voting, Switzerland, politics

Abstract

A little over a year ago the Swiss voters surprised the world with the acceptance of a referendum that added an equal rights amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution. Is there an explanation for this sudden change of the rather conservative Swiss heart? Why was it that the Swiss equal rights amendment passed within the short span of ten years after Swiss women got the right to vote, when American women who have been enfranchised since 1921 were unsuccessful in the same pursuit? What was the Swiss strategy for this outcome, and what has been done in the past year to implement this crucial constitutional change? Are the Swiss women now a step ahead in matters of emancipation and equal rights? And what might the future hold?

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