1971 Swiss women's suffrage referendum

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1971 Swiss women's suffrage referendum — a short, easy-to-understand summary

On February 7, 1971, Switzerland held a national referendum asking whether women should be allowed to vote in federal matters. Men were the voters. The result was a clear yes: 65.7% supported women's suffrage, while 34.3% opposed. Voter turnout was about 57.7% of the eligible population.

Background in brief
Switzerland had a long struggle for women’s voting rights. The demand first arose in the 1860s in Zurich, and groups continued to push for national, full suffrage for women over many decades. There were two earlier national votes on the issue: in 1959, men voted against introducing suffrage; several cantons had already approved limited forms of women’s participation, but not a nationwide reform. By the 1960s, public support for women’s suffrage grew, helped by campaigns and changing attitudes. In 1968, the United Nations declared the International Year of Human Rights, reinforcing calls for equality.

The campaigns
- Yes campaign: A leading advocate was the Association for Women’s Suffrage. Migros and Coop, two of the country’s largest companies, supported the cause and helped spread its message.
- No campaign: The Federation of Swiss Women Against Women’s Suffrage and Gertrud Haldimann led opposition. Over time, some opponents withdrew support, and even some Catholic conservative politicians began to back suffrage.

What the referendum showed
- National result: 65.7% voted Yes for women’s suffrage in federal matters; 34.3% voted No.
- Turnout: About 57.7% of registered voters participated.
- Cantons varied: many cantons voted yes, but support was not uniform everywhere. One notable exception was Appenzell Innerrhoden, which would not grant full cantonal suffrage until 1990 after a court ruling.

After the vote
Following the referendum, several cantons began allowing women to participate in elections and hold office, though changes happened at different speeds. Some cantons granted women’s suffrage long after 1971; for example, Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft already showed strong support, while Appenzell Ausserrhoden granted it in 1989 and Appenzell Innerrhoden in 1990. The referendum helped move Switzerland toward equality, eventually leading to broader political participation for women nationwide. The day after the vote, Swiss media highlighted the moment as a breakthrough in the country’s history.