Supporters: "Necessary for Achieving Gender Equality"
Government: "Sufficient Personnel Already... Financial Burden"
Switzerland is holding a national referendum on November 30 (local time) regarding a proposal to expand mandatory military service to include women. The government has expressed opposition, stating that the military and civil defense forces already have sufficient personnel and that expanding the system would increase costs.
Swiss voters are currently participating in a national referendum on the "Civil Service Initiative," which seeks to extend the military service obligation, currently applicable only to men, to include women as well. Photo by Getty Images
According to AP and AFP, Swiss voters are currently participating in a national referendum on the "Civil Service Initiative," which seeks to extend the military service obligation, currently applicable only to men, to include women as well. In Switzerland, major national issues are decided through referendums.
Supporters of the "Civil Service Initiative" argue that "everyone should share the responsibility to make Switzerland stronger in the face of crises," and that it is also "the right direction for achieving gender equality."
Noemie Roten, who led the initiative, told AFP that the proposal aims for "true equality." She explained, "The current system is discriminatory both to men and to women, who are excluded from the networks and experiences gained during military service," adding, "The purpose of this initiative is for all young people to contribute to the welfare of the community in some form-whether through the military, civil defense, or volunteer fire brigades."
In Switzerland, men of conscription age are required to serve in the military or participate in civil defense, and conscientious objectors may perform alternative service in hospitals or elderly care facilities.
The government opposes the proposal, stating that "the military and civil defense already have sufficient personnel, and recruiting more than the necessary number would reduce the labor force and lead to significant costs." The government also expressed concern that mandatory military service for women "would impose an additional burden on many women, who already shoulder a significant share of unpaid work such as childcare, family care, and housework."
This system initially received broad support, but according to the latest poll by the research institute gfs.bern, 64% of respondents are now opposed to the proposal.
In-person voting will continue until noon on the day of the referendum, and the initial tally, which will include early voting, is expected to be released later that afternoon.
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