Switzerland is holding a pivotal referendum that could fundamentally reshape its approach to national duty, with citizens voting on whether to make national service compulsory for women.
A Nation Divided on Civic Duty
The so-called "citizen service initiative" proposes that all Swiss citizens, including women who currently volunteer, must undertake service in the military, civil protection, or other public roles. Proponents argue this would significantly strengthen social cohesion and create valuable jobs in critical sectors like environmental prevention, food security, and elderly care.
Campaigners painted a stark picture of the challenges facing the nation, stating, "Clouds are gathering in the skies of a fragmenting Switzerland. On one hand, there are landslides in the mountains, floods in the plains, cyberattacks, risks of energy shortages or war in Europe. On the other, individualism is growing." They believe the initiative is the solution, adding, "By proposing a national service for all young people, the initiative responds to exactly what we need: that everybody takes responsibility."
Government Opposition and Cost Concerns
Despite these arguments, the initiative faces formidable opposition. The Swiss Parliament has overwhelmingly rejected the measure, citing prohibitive costs and negative economic impacts. The government estimates that the policy would roughly double both the headcount and the cost of the current system.
Each year, approximately 35,000 men already participate in mandatory service at a cost of nearly 1 billion Swiss francs (about $1.25 billion). Extending this requirement to women would see these figures soar.
The government also challenged the equality argument, contending that while compulsory service for women might seem like a step toward gender parity, it would in practice "place an extra burden on many women" who already handle most unpaid care and household work. It concluded that "requiring women to perform civic service would not constitute progress in terms of equality."
A Broader European Context
This vote is being closely watched across Europe as a barometer of public sentiment towards mandatory national duty. The decision comes at a time of heightened anxiety over geopolitical stability, fuelled by Russia's war in Ukraine and fears of potential spillover effects.
If passed, the initiative would not only mandate service for all citizens but also expand the concept of national security beyond traditional military and civil protection roles. Furthermore, it would grant parliament the option to require foreigners residing in Switzerland to perform public service.
Although early polls suggested a tight race, more recent surveys indicate the proposal is likely to be rejected by Swiss voters on Sunday, 30 November 2025.
