Dozens of protesters filled central Paris Tuesday night to denounce rising gender-based violence and honor recent victims.
Activist Marie-Josée, 78, said, “We are constantly overwhelmed by reality,” as the crowd remembered five women killed last week.
The demonstration occurred hours before the government received a new report calling for radical reform in handling domestic abuse cases.
Officials submitted the document to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending a dedicated magistrate to handle intrafamilial violence cases.
Le Parisien revealed the report earlier this week, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, warning that domestic violence requires a comprehensive approach.
Despite years of political promises, protesters argued that women’s safety in France continues to deteriorate.
Statistics Highlight a Growing Crisis
Marie-Josée said equality has regressed since the 1990s and criticized widespread indifference, especially toward older women.
In 2024, 107 women died at the hands of partners or ex-partners, an 11% increase from the previous year.
MIPROF data shows that every day in France, more than three women experience femicide or attempted femicide.
Activist groups warn these figures understate the full scale of the problem.
The government observatory reports that every seven hours, a woman suffers murder, attempted murder, or is driven toward suicide by a partner or ex-partner.
Women aged 70 and above made up 26% of victims, a nine percent rise in one year.
Older Victims Reveal Hidden Violence
The case of 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot, drugged by her husband and raped by dozens of men, shocked France and the world.
Her ordeal exposed the overlooked reality that senior women also suffer sexual violence, ignored due to sexist and ageist assumptions.
Violette of the Solidaires Union said society often dismisses older victims because “they are considered not bankable as younger women.”
She criticized the temporary media attention surrounding the Pelicot case and urged action beyond short-term outrage.
Violette argued that France’s strategy remains inconsistent and severely underfunded, noting organizations need €3 billion yearly to drive progress.
The government allocated just €94 million for gender equality in 2025, far below recommended levels.
The Council of Europe criticized France’s low prosecution rate and demanded stricter enforcement measures.
Protesters warned Parliament and the public that authorities still fail to grasp the full severity of the domestic violence crisis.
