Switzerland’s Federal Council wants to make military and civil defence orientation day compulsory for women as part of a broader push to encourage more women into voluntary service. The proposal, which would require a constitutional amendment, has split parties.

As Swiss Bluenews reports: “The SP Switzerland and the Green Party reject the compulsory service. They point to structural problems in the army, particularly with regard to protection against sexual harassment and violence. The Center Party supports the proposal, while the Green Liberals find it “despondent”. The proposal would not solve the problem of alimentation, nor would it attract more women to the army. The cantons expressed concerns about the expected additional costs.” Last year, Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a referendum proposal to extend conscription to women and create a much broader civilian service alternative.

You can read the entire piece here.