Switzerland: Women stage a mass scream demanding end to domestic violence & pay gap

Thousands of women in Switzerland took part in a mass scream at a protest on June 14, demanding equal pay and an end to violence against women. According to reports, the women screamed for 60 seconds at 3.24pm—the time of day when they technically start working for 'free' because of the wage gap.

Last year, around half a million people marched to protest against Switzerland’s poor record with regards to upholding women’s rights. However, the protest this year was more subdued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A minute's silence for women killed by men

According to reports, while Switzerland is fairly developed and has a high quality of life, it lags behind other developed nations when it comes to wage gap and maintaining workplace equality. Government data has indicated that women in Switzerland earn a fifth less than men; the figures have improved since 90's when their wages were about a third less.

During the protest, the demonstrators also reportedly held flash mobs and observed a minute of silence for the women who had been killed by their husbands or boyfriends. Reportedly, they also raised slogan 'if it's a woman's will, everything will stand still' as they marched.

The protestors also highlighted the rights and recognition denied to members of the LGBT community and those who regularly do unpaid work like caring for families and the household.

Read: Switzerland To Start 'gradual' Lifting Of COVID-19 Restrictions From April 27

Read: COVID-19: Sikkim Women Switch Children For Better Care

Protections for LGBTQ members and women rolled back

The Trump administration on June 12 rolled back the Obama-era policy that protected LGBTQ patients from discrimination. According to reports, the policy that was rolled does not only discriminate but also required robust language translation services. The move has alarmed a lot of experts in the medical field that are concerned about the policy rollback during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it will have on vulnerable sections of the society.

Read: WWE Veterans Discuss Future Of Women's Division Without Ronda Rousey And Becky Lynch

Read: US: Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-era Policies That Protects LGBTQ Rights

As per reports, the policy rollback has long been called for by many ardent Trump supports from the conservative Christian community. Many reports indicate that this is the US President’s attempt to mobilize and cement his support from his religious base in the face of the criticism about the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests in the US and the upcoming US Presidential elections.

(Representative Image)(Image Credit Pixabay)