Hundreds of men have gathered outside parliament in Bern for a demonstration condemning misogyny and violence against women, with organisers calling for men to take a more prominent role in challenging both.
The “Men against Violence against Women” rally comes amid concern that misogynistic views are increasingly visible online among teenage boys and young men. Supporters say men must help create a stronger counter-narrative to those messages.
The demonstration also reflects growing scrutiny of influencers linked to the far-right “manosphere”, who were emboldened after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in 2024 to amplify misogynistic abuse and threats online.
Swiss academics and advocacy groups have begun examining the scale of the movement in the country. A survey published in June by the University of Zurich and Mencare, an umbrella organisation for Swiss men’s and fathers’ groups, found that half of male respondents aged between 18 and 24 believed “real men are increasingly marginalised in society” and held a restrictive, dominance-based view of masculinity.
The study called for “a systematic and society-wide debate about ideals of masculinity that promote violence”, adding that the discussion should begin in schools.
Swiss minister says men must challenge violence
Justice Minister Beat Jans attended a conference earlier this month focused on the risks of violent online abuse directed at women.
In a speech on November 2, Mr Jans said men committed four-fifths of violent crimes and accounted for 99 per cent of perpetrators in rape cases.
“It is not all men. But we must also admit: It is almost always men,” he said.
“Violence by men does not begin with the first blow; it begins with a disparaging remark. We men all have a duty.”
The movement aims to reach young men drawn into the online “manosphere” and to challenge wider ideas associated with patriarchy, while encouraging men to speak out against violence and misogyny.
