Dozens gathered in central Paris Tuesday night to condemn rising gender-based violence and honour recent victims.
Activist Marie-Josée, 78, said, “We are constantly overwhelmed by reality,” while remembering five women killed by partners or ex-partners last week.
Protesters rallied just hours before the government received a report urging major reforms in domestic abuse cases.
Officials submitted the report to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending dedicated magistrates to handle intrafamilial violence exclusively.
Le Parisien revealed the report ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
It stated that domestic violence requires a complex and comprehensive approach.
Despite years of political promises, protesters said conditions for women continue to worsen.
Marie-Josée added that equality has regressed since the 1990s and expressed frustration over societal indifference toward older women.
Rising Statistics Show a Growing Crisis
In 2024, 107 women died at the hands of partners or ex-partners, marking an 11% increase from 2023.
MIPROF data shows that every day, more than three women suffer femicide or attempted femicide, and the numbers keep rising.
Activists warn official figures still understate the crisis.
The government’s annual observatory reported that every seven hours a woman experiences killing, attempted killing, or partner-driven suicide.
Women over 70 accounted for 26% of victims, a nine percent increase from last year.
The case of 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot, drugged and raped by dozens of men for years, shocked France and the world.
Her ordeal revealed that senior women also face sexual violence, often ignored due to ageist and sexist assumptions.
Calls for Funding and Legal Reform
Violette from the Solidaires Union said older victims often remain unheard because society prioritises younger women.
She added that media attention on cases like Pelicot fades quickly, but authorities should act regardless.
Violette said France lacks a coherent strategy and severely underfunds prevention and protection programs.
She argued organisations need €3 billion annually to address domestic violence effectively.
The government’s 2025 gender equality budget offers just €94 million, far below the necessary amount.
The Council of Europe described France’s low prosecution rates as “particularly worrying” and urged stricter enforcement.
As Parliament considers proposals and organisations demand long-term investment, protesters warned the government still underestimates the crisis’s severity.
