About
The Office for Equality & Diversity in the Swiss Audiovisual Industry
The Office for Equality and Diversity in the Swiss Audiovisual Industry was created by SWAN to support the fulfillment of gender equality and diversity in every layer of the audiovisual industry. It is dedicated to eliminate any form of discrimination whether it is direct or indirect, by educating and providing up to date information.
The priority areas of concerns of the Office:
- Gender equality in professional life, pay, training, access to employment, funding
- Visibility of minorities in their careers
- Prevention against stereotypes and prejudices towards sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and harassment related to work
The Office is there to:
- Inform, advise and direct the players of the audiovisual industry as well as the public
- Guide and support the authorities (both executive and legislative) regarding any matter related to its expertise
Opening hours:
Face-to-face appointments are available on request.
Mission of the Office
Raise awareness
To realise gender equality and diversity, it is crucial to raise awareness on the current situation both within and outside the industry. This statement relies on data and studies that are conducted by government institutions, universities and independent organisations – such as SWAN – as well as tools of best practices to be used immediately.
Inform
Knowledge is key when it comes to social justice. Equality and diversity are still not realised but steps are continuously made to level the playing fields for women*. The Office contributes to answer parliamentary questions, informs, guides and advises stakeholders of the audiovisual industry and the general public. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Advocate
The Office advises the economical players/bodies of the industry and individuals. Recommends appropriate measures. Cooperates with universities, researchers, and public and private institutions. SWAN also conducts studies and has a network of people committed to the cause. Feel free to join if you also wish to contribute.
Assist
The Office for Equality & Diversity in the Swiss Audiovisual Industry offers the players of the audiovisual industry, the population, companies, organisations, and authorities specialised advice. It sets up prevention and awareness campaigns, designs and broadcasts information material, organises training, seminars, and round tables and develops educational tools. It publishes studies, develops new strategies, initiates and coordinates pilot projects. Please get in touch if you’re looking for some assistance.
Know the Law
Swiss Law
Art. 8, Federal Constitution
“Every person is equal before the law. No person may be discriminated against, in particular on grounds of origin, race, gender, age, language, social position, way of life, religious, ideological, or political convictions, or because of a physical, mental or psychological disability.
Men and women have equal rights. The law shall ensure their equality, both in law and in practice, most particularly in the family, in education, and in the workplace. Men and women have the right to equal pay for work of equal value.”
Art. 1, Equality Act
“This Act has the aim of furthering true equality between women and men.”
There are conciliation offices in all cantons which can be referred to the parties in conflict in the event of a suspected violation of the Equality Act. The conciliation procedure is free. Click here for more information (FR).
National level
- Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (art. 8)
- Federal Act on Gender Equality
- The jurisprudences
- SSA - Copyrights
- The message regarding the encouragement of culture for the period 2021 to 2024
- The free conciliation procedure
- Federal Act on the Statutory Principles for Federal Council Ordinances on Combating the COVID-19 Epidemic
Swiss cinema rights
Swiss television rights
Dates and key numbers
- 2021 First mention of equality in the culture message
- 2020 First equality measures in the Audiovisual Pact
- 2018 The Locarno Festival signs the SWAN pledge of equality and diversity
- 2018 SWAN Swiss Women’s Audiovisual Network association founding
- 2017 Introduction of the Gender Map of the Federal Office of Culture, cinema section
- 2016 Launch of national gender statistics on film promotion
- 2016 First Equality measures in the Ordinance on Film Promotion 2016-2020
- 2015 Creation of the SWAN Swiss Women's Audiovisual Network Core Group
- 2015 Studies Gender Facts and Figure – Swiss Film Funding - Focal ARF Cinesuisse
- 1996 Federal Law on Equality (LEg)
- 1981 Constitutional article on gender equality
- 1971 Women's suffrage
Supporters
SWAN would like to thank The Federal Office for Gender Equality and Migros Culture Percentage for supporting the creation of the Office for Equality & Diversity in the Swiss Audiovisual Industry.
