Swiss Men Rally in Bern to Confront Misogyny and End Violence Against Women

BERN, Switzerland — Hundreds of men gathered in the Swiss capital on Saturday to denounce misogyny and violence against women, calling on men to take a more active and vocal role in addressing both.

The “Men against Violence against Women” demonstration outside the federal parliament follows persistent concern that misogynistic attitudes remain widespread online among teenage boys and young men, underscoring the need for men to build a stronger counter-narrative.

The event comes as figures on the fringe of the right-wing “manosphere” have grown emboldened after Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory, increasingly justifying and amplifying misogynistic ridicule and threats online.

Academics and advocacy organizations have, for the first time, attempted to map the extent of this movement within Switzerland.

A survey released in June by the University of Zurich and mencare, an umbrella group of Swiss men’s and fathers’ organizations, found that half of male respondents aged 18 to 24 expressed concern that “real men are increasingly marginalized in society” and held restrictive, dominance-based views of masculinity.

The study called for “a systematic and society-wide debate about ideals of masculinity that promote violence,” adding that the debate should begin in schools.

The Swiss government has taken note: Justice Minister Beat Jans attended a conference earlier this month designed to raise awareness about the hazards of violent online rhetoric against women.

Speaking on the issue on November 2, Jans cited statistics showing that men commit four-fifths of violent crimes, and that in rape cases the figure reaches as high as 99%.

“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.”

Organizers say the movement seeks to open the eyes of young men caught up in the “manosphere” and patriarchal norms more broadly.

“We men are part of the problem—the problem being violence against women and queer people,” said Christoph Gosteli, a 42-year-old social worker and co-organizer of the demonstration with the group Maenner.

“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 said.

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