Fight against gender-based violence: France rises up against inequality

A few days before the international day of the fight against the violence made to the women (November 25), several French men and women gathered in the streets to protest. Organized by the association “#NousToutes” (“All of us” conjugated in feminine), these demonstrations allowed to gather nearly 50 000 men and women only in Paris.

Why demonstrate against gender-based violence?

In France, 103 women have been killed by their spouse since the beginning of 2021, that is to say one every 3 days. The men killed by their wives amounts to 10. Beyond the murders committed, 220,000 women experience psychological pressure and physical violence from their spouse or ex-spouse each year. 94,000 are raped. It should be remembered that marital rape only appeared in French law in 2006.

The current context has only accentuated this phenomenon. The confinements linked to the pandemic have transformed the family home into a real prison for many women and children. The figures speak for themselves: during the first confinement, a 40% increase in reports was recorded on the French government platform compared to the normal period. A figure that unfortunately has maintained its momentum in the second containment with an increase of 60%.

France is far from being the only country concerned by this plague. According to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO (World Health Organisation), “Violence against women is endemic in all countries and cultures, and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic […] But unlike COVID-19, violence against women cannot be stopped by a vaccine. We can only combat it through deep and sustained efforts – by governments, communities and individuals.”

One in three women around the world suffers of  physical or sexual violence from an intimate or unknown partner. That’s nearly 740 million women.

Government measures questioned

Elisabeth Moreno, in charge of Equality between women and men in France, says that despite the 46 measures of the Grenelle* on conjugal violence (general meeting necessary to debate on a major political event) such as the bracelet against the rapprochement, the phones serious danger (TGD), the accompaniment of the victims with the 3919, “the subject still remains extremely prevalent.”

Feminist organizations, aware of the ineffectiveness of these measures, want to increase the budget dedicated to the fight against gender-based violence. They estimate that a budget of 1 billion euros is necessary to set up concrete and effective actions. Today, it is 360 million euros.

They also ask for measures of “prevention”, which consist in particular in “teaching to the youngest what is the consent” and to make pass “a patent of education in the nonviolence, on the same model as the road safety” to the college students or high school students.

As every year, the weekend before November 25, the day against gender-based violence, was dedicated to victims. In addition to the national demonstration organized by the collective #NousToutes and the organization “Solidarité Femmes”, several workshops were set up by feminist associations. An ideal way to inspire the government.

Exhibition for women who made History

For example, “Les Culottés” organized an exhibition in order to pay tribute to female artists who, in their own way, have contributed to change the world. Josephine Baker, Betty Davis, Sonita Alizadeh were represented.

Self-defense workshop

“Echokraft” has set up a verbal self-defense workshop for teenagers and young transsexuals under the age of 24. It is an accessible and supportive way to work on one’s repartee, gain self-confidence and thus be armed in case of a problematic situation. 

Talks and debates

The Doubs Information Center on Women’s and Family Rights (CIDFF) organized a group session open to all to discuss the subject of gender-based violence. Emanouela Todorova, founder of a French feminist association (dis bonjour sale pute) was the moderator of the event. Advice, testimonies, useful contacts, legal actions to take and what can be done to overcome the trauma: these were the topics discussed during this session.

Paris 2024: The Olympic village transformed into a shelter for victims of sexual violence

Following these denunciations and on the occasion of the day of fight against the sexist violence, the French government announced several actions to support the victims and to face this plague. According to Elisabeth Moreno, “housing is a crucial step in the reconstruction of these women”. This is why in 2024, the State has committed to transform the village of the Olympic Games in Paris into a reception area for women and children fleeing violence.

Return on the most poignant awareness campaigns

Here are some links of advertising campaigns which contributed to the fight against sexist violence and which allowed several women to identify themselves and to feel supported.

That’s no love campaign :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JYyHa03x-U

Women’s aid :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbuW91_z7HE 

New Domestic Violence PSA “It Rarely Stops” :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL3rfk2iFww

Superbowl 2015 : Domestic violence PSA :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z_zWIVRIWk