The Struggle for Swiss Women’s Suffrage in Times of Rising Anti-feminism

This article examines the rise of anti-feminism in Switzerland during the 1930s and its impact on the women's suffrage movement. It analyses how anti-feminist arguments, advocating for women's withdrawal from wage labour and reinforcement of traditional gender roles, permeated political debates, legislation, and cultural productions. The research focuses on the National Exhibitions of Women's Work (Saffa) in 1928 and 1958 as key events reflecting the changing landscape of women's rights advocacy. While the 1928 Saffa showcased women's professional achievements and united the movement, the 1958 exhibition demonstrated the severe constraints imposed by anti-feminist sentiments. The study argues that this period exemplifies state-level anti-feminism, significantly hindering the suffrage movement's progress. The contrasting strategies and outcomes of the two Saffas reveal how societal and political pressures can dramatically reshape the tactics and public presentation of women's rights movements over time.