Misogyny: Swiss men take to streets, call for stronger fight against violence against women

People attend a demontration to denounce violence against women in Bern, Switzerland (Picture credit: AP)

Hundreds of men gathered outside parliament in the Swiss capital on Saturday to protest against misogyny and violence against women, calling on men to take a more active and vocal role in challenging both.The demonstration, titled “Men against Violence against Women”, came amid growing concerns over the spread of misogynistic views among teenage boys and young men, particularly online. Organisers and campaigners have called for men to build a stronger counter-narrative to such attitudes.The rally also followed increased visibility for influencers associated with the right-wing “manosphere”, some of whom were emboldened by US President Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory to amplify misogynistic insults and threats online, according to news agency the Associated Press (AP).

Study highlights concerns over attitudes towards masculinity

Swiss academics and advocacy groups have, for the first time, attempted to assess the scale of the manosphere movement in the country.A survey published in June by the University of Zurich and mencare, an umbrella organisation representing Swiss men’s and fathers’ groups, found that half of male respondents aged 18 to 24 expressed concern that “real men are increasingly marginalized in society”.The study also found that half of those surveyed held a restrictive, dominance-based view of masculinity.It called for “a systematic and society-wide debate about ideals of masculinity that promote violence”, adding that the discussion should begin in schools.The Swiss government has also taken up the issue. Justice Minister Beat Jans attended a conference earlier this month aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of violent online abuse directed at women.In a speech on November 2, Jans cited figures showing that men committed four-fifths of violent crimes. The proportion was even higher in rape cases, where men accounted for 99% of perpetrators, he said.“It is not all men. But we must also admit: It is almost always men,” Jans said. “Violence by men does not begin with the first blow; it begins with a disparaging remark. We men all have a duty.”

Organisers call on men to challenge misogyny

The demonstration sought to encourage young men influenced by the manosphere, as well as those exposed to patriarchal attitudes more broadly, to reconsider their views and challenge violence against women and queer people.Christoph Gosteli, a 42-year-old social worker and co-organiser of the rally alongside the group Maenner, said men needed to acknowledge their role in the problem and take responsibility for addressing it.“We men are part of the problem — the problem being violence against women and queer people,” Gosteli said.“That is why it is important for us to take a stand and say: We no longer want to be part of the problem; we want to be part of the solution,” he added.The rally’s central message was that men should not remain silent on misogyny and violence, but take a more visible role in opposing them.