We envision a world where gender norms no longer define who we are, who we can love or what we can achieve.
As an incubator, we support passionate changemakers whose ideas and actions have the power to move the needle and make Switzerland fully inclusive of gender+ diversity.
With the term “gender+”, we refer to an inclusive vision of gender, which goes beyond equality between women and men by including the diversity of gender identities, sexual and romantic orientations, gender expressions and variations in biological sex characteristics.
Here are a few facts about Gender+ inclusion in Switzerland:
At BØWIE we are longing for a new society. A society where the majority of the population adopts a gender+ inclusive behaviour.
This vision will only be possible if a sufficient group of individuals – representing at least 25% of the overall population according to recent studies - becomes animated with this same will to challenge the status quo and change mentalities. A minority of 25%, repeatedly exposing others to their new & more inclusive behavior, until everyone starts copying it and acting inclusively.
What does it mean concretely? It means that to create sustainable change in Switzerland, nearly 2.14M people need to adopt a gender+ inclusive behaviour for a systemic change to occur.
That is why we need YOU!
We won't be able to transform society on our own. We must all come together and relentlessly promote gender+ inclusive behaviours.
We need YOU to launch your project, in areas that you feel are not being covered enough, on subjects that you know are not being discussed enough or as an essential response to having personally experienced an unmet need in your community.
We need YOU to transform behaviours and to contribute to reaching this critical mass that will make it possible for Switzerland to truly become inclusive for all, regardless of their gender+.
We have identified 11 sub-behaviours characterizing a gender+ inclusive society. For this reason, we support projects that impact one or more of these dimensions
Use gender+ inclusive language
Provide the same rights and protection for everyone
Understand and meet the needs of others
Encourage equal opportunities for all
Promote gender+-inclusive information sources (gender+ representation) and activities
Are not violent and condemn violence towards others because of their gender+
Do not discriminate against others in access to products, services and other opportunities
Talk about gender+ with those around them
Challenge stereotypes through action and/or speech
Respond to non-inclusive behaviour
Support and respect the self-determination of others with regards to their gender+
BØWIE stands for Bold, Øpen, Wild, Innovative and Empowering. Those are the values we are looking for in each of the projects we support. Not quite there yet? Don't worry, our mission is to help you achieve those goals!
Projects with big objectives, a clear vision and a smashing impact
Projects being inclusive of gender diversities (gender identities, gender expressions, sexual and romantic orientations, sexual characteristics) and beyond
Projects creating change in a fun and unexpected way
Projects aiming for change in a new and never-before seen manner
Project increasing the power of individuals in creating the society of tomorrow
Check out our latest presentation video!
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal, ambitious call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.
The 17 Goals were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, as part of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals. BØWIE has joined this global movement, by actively contributing to advancing 6 of the Goals. You can learn more about the SDGs here or by clicking on each of the Goals below.
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