We all know Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil – an unforgettable, ironic and sharp-tongued character.
"Marriage? More good women have been lost to marriage than to war, famine, disease or disaster. You have talent, darling. Don't squander it."
These words come from the mouth of one of the most famous villains in the Disney world. Cruella, who is considered the embodiment of absolute evil in her uncompromising cruelty, encapsulates a feminist truth.
But why does a woman playing the role of villain in a Disney film have to say this sentence?
Is Cruella a feminist icon – a voice that speaks uncomfortable truths, but is deliberately portrayed by Disney as a cautionary tale?
She is eccentric, self-determined and completely unaffected by society's expectations. And while Cruella is portrayed as exaggerated and caricaturally evil, her words hit the mark - especially when we look at the reality of women in Switzerland.
Women in Switzerland: Highly qualified, but caught in the part-time trap
Women in Switzerland are exceptionally well educated. Over 50% of them have a tertiary degree – a level that stands out internationally. But despite these qualifications, many women end up in the part-time trap.
A look at the numbers:
Almost 60% of women work part-time, compared to only 18% of men.
Only 13% of management positions are held by women.
Promotions? For those with a workload of less than 80%, this is often not even an option. ( Source: Swiss Statistics )
These figures paint a clear picture: women who want to spend more time with their children pay a high price for it. Pension gaps, lower income and financial dependence on their partner are often the consequences - with long-term effects.
The Swiss pension system: Good for full-time employees, a challenge for part-time workers
The Swiss three-pillar system is an international model. But it works particularly well for full-time employees. Women working part-time, on the other hand, face considerable hurdles:
2nd pillar: The coordination deduction ensures that only a small part of your income is insured.
Pension gaps: Longer breaks, e.g. due to parental leave, almost always leave financial gaps.
Long-term disadvantages: The longer women stay in part-time work, the lower their pension entitlements are – and the wider the financial gap with men working full-time becomes.
Does society need to change?
Parents (not only women) want to spend time with their children – crazy, right?
But how does this work when care work is done almost exclusively by women?
The inconvenient truth:
You don't need a uterus to care for a baby or toddler.
It is said that part-time work is not possible in "male" professions. But is that really true? Or is it an excuse to follow traditional gender roles?
Why shouldn't men be more than just fathers? An active father role enriches the family - and offers children a modern role model.
Creating Change Together
How can we break out of the “part-time trap” and achieve a fairer distribution of work and care work?
Raising awareness: Women and men must recognize how traditional gender roles limit both genders.
Partnership on equal terms: Private relationships should be structured in such a way that both partners can take on professional and family responsibilities on an equal footing.
Questioning social structures: Why are management positions often linked to full-time work? Can care work finally be recognized as a social responsibility?
Holding companies accountable: Companies must accept their responsibility and enable part-time work for men, without labelling them as “holidaymakers”. People in management positions should publicly show that they consciously take time for their families – this creates a symbolic effect and changes the culture.
Is Cruella a feminist icon?
Cruella is undoubtedly a controversial figure, but her statement hits the nail on the head. Why do women have to choose between career and family, while men are often not faced with this decision? Perhaps it is time to rethink the balancing act together - and in doing so, change both private and social structures.
💬 What do you think? Is part-time work really that difficult to implement, or do people lack the courage to try new things? Write it in the comments or share your experiences!
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