Hundreds of men demonstrate in Bern against misogyny and violence against women

Hundreds of men gathered on Bundesplatz in Bern, Switzerland, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, for a one-hour solidarity demonstration to combat misogyny and violence against women. The "Men against Violence against Women" rally sought to address the prevalence of misogyny online, particularly among teenagers and young men. The event was organized by a broad coalition that included the Socialist Party of Switzerland (SP Schweiz) and the committee "Men against Violence against Women."

Addressing systemic violence and harassment

The demonstration focused on the responsibility of men to address misconduct within their own social circles. Organizers called for men to show compassion to victims and to take active responsibility for the behavior of themselves or others in their immediate environment. Christoph Gosteli, a 42-year-old social worker and co-organizer of the event with the group Maenner, participated in the mobilization. Christoph Gosteli stated that "Men are part of the problem regarding violence against women and queer people, and must work to be part of the solution."

The rally highlighted significant statistics regarding gender-based violence in Switzerland. Organizers reported that more than one in two women in the country has experienced sexual harassment. Furthermore, organizers reported that one in five women has been a victim of non-consensual sexual acts. These figures underscore the ongoing challenges regarding physical and sexual safety for women in Swiss society.

Rising online misogyny and political context

The demonstration addressed growing concerns regarding the rise of online misogyny among young populations. Organizers noted that certain influencers have used the 2024 victory of Donald Trump to justify and amplify misogynistic threats online. This trend has coincided with shifts in digital discourse that target women and marginalized groups.

A June 2026 survey conducted by the University of Zurich and mencare highlighted shifting social perceptions among young males. The survey found that half of male respondents aged 18 to 24 expressed concerns that "real men are increasingly marginalized in society." This sentiment provides context to the digital environment where misogynistic rhetoric often flourishes.

Governmental observations on violent crime

Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has previously addressed the dangers of violent online invective directed at women. During a conference held on November 2, 2026, the minister discussed the patterns of violence linked to gender. According to statistics cited by Beat Jans on November 2, 2026, men commit four-fifths of violent crimes in the country. The minister also stated that men commit up to 99% of rape cases.

While acknowledging the complexity of these statistics, Beat Jans emphasized the necessity of institutional and social intervention. The minister stated, "Not all men are like this, but we must admit it is almost always men; violence begins with disparaging remarks, and men have a duty to prevent it."

Glossary

• Bundesplatz — Bundesplatz is a square that was renamed from Kaiserplatz in 1950. It was redesigned in the 1960s to be car-friendly, which caused its former park-like character to largely disappear.
• Bern — Bern is a canton in Switzerland. It is one of the locations where there is a concentration of Albanians.
• University of Zurich — The University of Zurich is an institution where Zega studied and worked as an assistant in a chemical laboratory. It also conducted a survey regarding social perceptions among young males.