The coronavirus has forced organizers of events marking International Women’s Rights Day to adapt. But no question of renouncing to claim rights.
By way of a parade to the prohibitions on meeting too many, the Vaudois have multiplied and decentralized the event planned in Lausanne. These have taken place, but others have also taken place in Renens, Morges, Yverdon, Vevey and Nyon. A first action took place during the night.
Read also : Faced with the coronavirus, the feminist strike multiplies in the canton of Vaud
Around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, the Vaud Collective of the feminist strike organized a prologue. Some 300 people gathered on the Place de la Riponne and sang feminist hymns, purple scarves and lights on them.
Four places, four themes
“Let’s occupy public space throughout the canton: in our neighborhoods, our cities and our places of life!” (…) The coronavirus separates us but we continue to fight together! ”, Invites the group. In Lausanne itself, the large gathering planned at the station at midday has been replaced by mini-demonstrations in four places in the Vaud capital, with four themes: pensions and pensions, eco-feminism, students and precarious work and (un) paid care work.
A flashmob, the same as the day before, still took place at 3:24 p.m. at the station, a symbolic hour at which women stop being paid compared to men. The end of this Vaudois day of mobilization ended with various messages from international feminist movements and songs.
Also in Geneva
In Geneva too, the organizers avoided large gatherings, preferring dispersed actions to them. Small groups flocked in the morning to the Caves district. A petition calling for the opening of a feminist house in Geneva was circulating from person to person, as well as bottles of hand sanitizer.
Let’s occupy public space throughout the canton: in our neighborhoods, our cities and our living spaces! (…) The coronavirus separates us but we continue to fight together!
The Vaud collective of the feminist strike
Union representatives spoke, emphasizing in their remarks the wage discrimination that women still face today in the world of work. On average, they earn 20% less than men, or about 650 francs per month for a full time, said one speaker.
After the speeches, an all-female “Nanan’Air” choir sang songs in all languages. Some, in the audience, repeated the words. The day continued with a solidarity brunch and a performance to the beat of the drums. Round tables and ephemeral exhibitions were also on the menu.
German-speaking Switzerland
International Women’s Rights Day took place in many other cities in French-speaking Switzerland, as well as in German-speaking Switzerland. In Zurich and Bern, several hundred people took part in demonstrations. Many of the participants wore purple.
Protesters demanded equal pay, more time and money for aid work, or respect for sexism. In both cities, the police presence was discreet. In Zurich, some depredations were committed on the sidelines of the demonstration on Saturday evening.
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