Act on the application of the principle of gender equality - Purpose

1. The State ensures the implementation of the principle of equality between women and men in all areas of life within the canton and the elimination of any form of legal and actual discrimination. To this end, it takes promotional measures.

1. To fulfill this obligation and to collaborate with other public and private bodies, the State Council designates the department specifically entrusted with the task referred to in Article 1.

2. The department performs this task through a specialized agency called the Equality Office.

1. The State Council appoints a Gender Equality Council, which consists of eleven to fifteen members in equal representation and advises and supports the promotion policy defined under Article 1.

2. The Gender Equality Council, in particular, provides preliminary opinions on the projects or issues submitted to it, presents all proposals that seem useful to it for the realization of the principle of equality, and collaborates in equal representation with the affected department in determining the objectives to be achieved.

1. The canton may grant financial aid to institutions that implement programs to promote gender equality between women and men.

1. The Cantonal Conciliation Commission for Disputes within the Meaning of the Federal Act on Gender Equality is established by the Cantonal Labor Law.

1. Upon the request of the appellant or the complainant, a commission appointed by the State Council shall issue an opinion on complaints filed against first-instance decisions of the municipalities or the canton regarding the employment relationship of municipal and cantonal personnel.

1. Chapter 2 of this law, as an implementing law to federal law, is not subject to an optional referendum and takes effect on July 1, 1996.

2. Chapter 1 is subject to an optional referendum. It repeals the decree of June 26, 1992, as well as the regulation of November 25, 1992. The State Council determines the date of its entry into force.