International Women's Day Karin Keller-Sutter pays tribute to the first female Federal Councillor Elisabeth Kopp
On Friday, President Karin Keller-Sutter paid tribute to the first female Federal Councillor Elisabeth Kopp, who died almost two years ago. She spoke in front of 390 women from all over Switzerland who had gathered in the Federal Palace to mark International Women's Day.
07.03.2025, 12:53
07.03.2025, 16:25
SDA
"Elisabeth Kopp was a pioneer, not only as the first woman in the national government. She was the first woman, or at least one of the first, to hold many offices," said the President of the Swiss Confederation in her speech on Friday. She continued: "This also means that she had to fight especially hard to get into these offices and to be recognized as a woman in these offices.
As head of the Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), she also pushed forward key equality issues such as the new marriage law, Keller-Sutter said.
Higher bar for women
The bar is often even higher for women than for men. This is also shown by the example of Kopp. Keller-Sutter dared to suggest that the abrupt end to her time in the Federal Council would hardly have happened to a man under the same circumstances.
"This forced resignation put Elisabeth Kopp in a completely false light," said the President of the Swiss Confederation. "Elisabeth Kopp was dropped - by the media, by her own party and by the Federal Council, due to a supposed scandal that in retrospect turned out to be irrelevant."
"I am therefore all the more pleased that we can inaugurate a plaque here today in the National Council chamber to commemorate Switzerland's first female Federal Councillor," she added. Kopp's daughter Brigitt Küttel was a guest in the Federal Palace and thanked Keller-Sutter for the plaque commemorating her mother.
The St. Gallen native also recalled her own commitment to combating domestic violence, particularly as Director of Justice and Police in St. Gallen for 12 years, but also in the FDJP. "When I was sometimes given the title 'Iron Lady' for this, I took it as a compliment," said Keller-Sutter.
Women and security
The Women's Day event was opened by National Council President Maja Riniker (FDP/AG). The theme of this year's event was "Women and security". "If security is no longer guaranteed, women and children are the first victims," said Riniker.
Today, it is also "mainly men who define security policy", implement the corresponding strategies and draw up peace plans. However, these major challenges can only be overcome together, said Riniker. Today, it is all the more urgent to increase the number of competent women in peacekeeping operations, peace negotiations and the reconstruction of societies.
