Act establishing an Office and a Commission for Gender Equality and the Family - Purpose

1. The state shall ensure that the principle of equality between women and men is applied, strive to eliminate all forms of legal and factual discrimination, and pursue a policy oriented towards the interests of the family.

1. To achieve these goals, the following bodies in particular are established

a) an Office for the Equality of Women and Men and for Family Affairs (the Office), whose members are employed by the Council of State;

b) a Cantonal Commission for the Equality of Women and Men and for Family Affairs (the Commission), whose members are appointed by the Council of State.

2. The Office and the Commission are administratively assigned to the relevant Directorate.

1. The office has advisory, informational, promotional, enforcement, coordination, and monitoring duties to achieve the objectives outlined in Article 1.

2. It specifically has the following tasks

a) It advises and informs authorities and private individuals on all questions of gender equality between women and men and family policy.

b) It issues recommendations and prepares or requires expert reports.

c) It examines state decrees and measures for their compliance with the principle of gender equality between women and men.

d) It develops and coordinates programs and campaigns together with interested parties to promote gender equality between women and men, as well as a family-oriented policy.

e) It creates and disseminates documentation on gender equality and family issues.

f) It collaborates with offices of other cantons and the federal government.

g) It works closely with the commission and manages its secretariat.

h) It prepares an annual activity report for the attention of the Grand Council.

3. The office may, in fulfilling its duties, obtain the necessary information from all departments of the cantonal administration and review the documents of the relevant dossiers.

4. The employment relationship of the personnel is governed by the legislation on state personnel.

1. The Commission advises the Office and supports it in its work. It acts as a liaison between the Office and the interested associations.

2. It consists of 11-15 members, who particularly represent the various organizations dedicated to gender equality and family advocacy.

1. The Office and the Commission have a budget framework, the scope of which is determined annually during the approval of the state's preliminary budget. The budget framework takes into account the development of wages.

1. The State Council determines the date of entry into force of this law.