Purple-clad protesters blowing whistles, banging pots and pans and brandishing feminist slogans filled the streets of Swiss towns and cities Friday, as women across the country went on strike for equal pay.
"I love badass women" and "Eliminate the patriarchy" figured among the messages on posters and banners, as women poured into the streets to vent their frustration with persistent gender discrimination and wage gaps in the wealthy Alpine nation.
The action comes nearly three decades after women held the country's first nationwide strike for equal pay.
Pram marches, whistle concerts and giant picnics were planned around the country, with the day's events set to culminate in giant demonstrations in several cities.
Tens of thousands of women dressed in purple filled the square in front of the government and parliament buildings in Bern.
Manu Bondi, 68, demonstrated alongside her daughter and granddaughter, and two friends who demonstrated with her in 1991.
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She said she was protesting "in solidarity with all women of all ages".
"There are more of us this time than in 1991 and our demands are different," she said.
"Back then it was about abortion. Now it is above all about equal pay. It is really important that women be paid according to the work they do. It is great to see people so committed."