Thousands protest against violence toward women in France
Paris, France – On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, thousands of demonstrators marched across France to demand stronger action against gender-based violence.
Led by feminist organizations, including the NousToutes collective, protesters carried purple banners—the symbol of feminism—and called for urgent measures to protect women. In Paris, an estimated 17,000 people participated, while rallies in provincial cities drew a similar number, according to police estimates.
Demonstrators demanded the adoption of a comprehensive law against violence toward women, supported by a budget of €3 billion, and an end to the reduction of funding for associations that assist victims. Juliette, a 20-year-old student in Lille, declared, “We have the right to life, the right to happiness, the right to love—passionate, not obsessive. We have the right to be loved without being harmed.”
Recent government statistics show that 107 women were killed by their partner or ex-partner between 2023 and 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts warn that official numbers are likely underestimated, as forced suicides and other unreported cases are not included.
Other forms of violence remain widespread: women in France face sexual assault, harassment, and online abuse at alarming rates, with one incident occurring every two minutes. The Council of Europe has criticized the low prosecution rate for perpetrators and urged urgent reforms.
While the government plans to introduce a framework law on gender-based violence later in November, activists remain skeptical, arguing that adequate financial and institutional resources are not yet allocated.
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