Social Democrats want 500 million francs more a year against gender-based violence

Meeting on Saturday in Thun, the congress of the Swiss Social Democratic Party unanimously approved a popular initiative to strengthen protection against gender-based violence. The text calls for closer cooperation between the federal government, the cantons and specialized services on prevention, and seeks at least 500 million francs in additional funding every year to fight this type of violence.

According to the SP, support for victims still depends too much on the canton of residence, and progress in combating gender-based violence so far has been insufficient. The party notes that Switzerland recorded 27 femicides in 2025, and that 18 cases have already occurred since the start of this year.

Tamara Funiciello, co-president of the Social Democratic Women, described femicides as only «la punta dell'iceberg» (the tip of the iceberg), which also includes rape, beatings, humiliation and discrimination. «Le donne in Svizzera subiscono violenza ogni giorno, mentre la politica resta a guardare. È ora di finirla» (women in Switzerland suffer violence every day, while politics looks on. It's time to put an end to it), Funiciello said, adding that «la protezione costa denaro, ma la violenza costa vite» (protection costs money, but violence costs lives).

Federal Councillor Beat Jans, who also addressed the congress, said that domestic and gender-based violence «non sono una questione privata» (are not a private matter), but are a responsibility of the rule of law and of society as a whole.

After being approved by delegates, the text must undergo legal review by the Federal Chancellery. The SP plans to begin collecting signatures in spring 2027: to succeed, the initiative will need to convince the public to support a lasting financial commitment to victims.

Criticism of the SVP

SP co-president Mattea Meyer sharply criticized the SVP, accusing it of having «un problema strutturale con la violenza» (a structural problem with violence). She pointed to visits by party figures to leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, and to tributes paid to Donald Trump, while noting the party's lack of attention toward alleged perpetrators of violence within its own ranks. Meyer referred in particular to the case of a former SVP cantonal parliamentarian from Aargau, accused of repeatedly abusing at least two women: «Bisogna finalmente mettere fine a questa violenza strutturale» (this structural violence must finally be stopped), she said.

Questions remain about how the new commitment will be funded and how victims can be guaranteed the same level of support regardless of which canton they live in.