Bern: Hundreds of men rally against violence towards women
The "Men Against Violence" gathering outside parliament urged men to confront online misogyny and the growing manosphere among young men.
Hundreds of men gathered in Bern to condemn a rising wave of violence against women and to call on men to play a louder, more responsible role in fighting that violence. The rally, staged in front of the federal parliament building, was titled "Men Against Violence Against Women."
Organizers said the demonstration responds to growing alarm about misogynistic attitudes spreading online, particularly among teenagers and young men. The protest aimed to show that a section of the male population rejects those currents and wants to challenge them publicly.
A study published in June by the University of Zurich together with the Swiss men's and fathers' associations "mencare" found that half of respondents aged 18 to 24 expressed concern that "real men are increasingly marginalized in society," and also showed "a restrictive view of masculinity, based on domination."
The research recommended a "systematic debate at the level of the whole society about ideals of masculinity that encourage violence. This debate should start in schools," an appeal the demonstrators echoed at the rally.
Organizers said one practical goal of the initiative is to "open the eyes" of young men entrenched in the so‑called manosphere and, more broadly, in patriarchal attitudes.
"We, men, are part of the problem — the problem of violence against women and queer people," said Christoph Gosteli, a 42‑year‑old social worker and co‑organizer of the "Men Against Violence Against Women" demonstrations within the group Maenner. He added: "We no longer want to be part of the problem; we want to be part of the solution."
Photo: press material from the event
