After tobacco and alcohol: Canton of Vaud also wants to ban sexist advertising
The Vaud cantonal government wants to ban sexist advertising in public spaces. It is proposing a corresponding amendment to the law to the Grand Council. In cases of doubt, a review commission will make the decision.
The current law in the canton of Vaud prohibits the advertising of tobacco and alcohol in public spaces. "The cantonal government is convinced that it is worth extending the ban on advertising to include sexist content," said FDP government councillor Jacqueline de Quattro at a media conference on Monday. The cantonal government wants to include a new provision to this effect in the law. "This is a strong message in the fight against sexism in our society", emphasized the government councillor.
People are often looking for role models and it is difficult to avoid posters. Advertising messages impress and thus reinforce stereotypes and inequality between the sexes, de Quattro continued.
Basel-Stadt was a pioneer
In order to define what is degrading for both women and men, the Vaud government wants to adopt the definition of the Swiss Commission for Fairness. This self-regulatory body is made up of association representatives from the fields of advertising and consumption as well as PR specialists. They are advised by experts from the media, federal offices and various specialist areas. Basel-Stadt was the first canton to introduce a ban on sexist advertising in public spaces. (SDA)
