Switzerland is one of the few European countries that have not implemented parental leave policies (parental or paternity leave). However, in the last decade the issue has been increasingly problematized in the public domain. This thesis has two objectives. First, describe the emergence of parental leave policies in Switzerland in the last decade. Second, analyse the representations of gender relations, in particular maternity and paternity through this emergence. Does the increased problematization of parental leave policies in Switzerland challenge gendered representations of parental roles? In order to answer this question, I analyse media, political and labour market spheres. Firstly, press articles on parental leave policies are analysed. Secondly, parliamentary propositions in favour of parental leave policies and their political treatment are investigated. Finally, labour market practices regarding discretionary parental leave policies are analysed through a case study conducted in a local public administration which has implemented a far-ranging work-family life policy and recently extended its paid paternity leave from 6 to 21 days. The qualitative data is analysed following principles of discourse and content analysis. Descriptive statistics of paternity and parental leave uptake in the public work organization is also provided.