Hundreds of men lead protest to urge other men to help reduce violence against women

On Saturday, a demonstration took place in Bern, Switzerland, with hundreds of men gathered to address misogyny and the pervasive issue of violence against women. The event, titled "Men against Violence against Women," called for men to assume a more prominent and vocal stance in combating these problems. The rally comes after growing concerns about the presence of misogynistic attitudes, particularly among teenage boys and young men, on the internet.

Some fringe right-wing influencers have used the platform to justify and spread misogynistic rhetoric since President Donald Trump's 2024 victory.

A study conducted by the University of Zurich in collaboration with mencare, a coalition of Swiss men's and fathers' organizations, revealed that half of male respondents aged 18 to 24 expressed concerns that "real men are being marginalized in society" and held a "restrictive and dominance-based view of masculinity." The researchers emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive societal conversation about masculinity ideals that foster violence, which should begin in educational institutions.

The Swiss government has also taken notice, with Justice Minister Beat Jans attending a conference earlier this month to raise awareness about the dangers of online misogynistic abuse. In a speech on November 2, Jans cited statistics, stating that 80% of violent crimes are committed by men, and in cases of rape, they account for up to 99% of instances.

He stressed that "it is not all men," but "we must also admit: It is almost always men." Jans urged men to acknowledge their role in perpetuating violence and emphasized that "we all have a duty." The demonstration aimed to raise awareness among young men caught in the "manosphere" and broader patriarchal narratives, encouraging them to recognize their part in the issue and contribute to finding solutions.