France Peaceful Marches

Amid a sea of purple, symbolizing women and gender equality, protesters marched through the chilly streets of Paris and other cities in France. Carrying placards proclaiming messages such as “One rape every six minutes in France” and “Protect your girls, educate your boys,” the demonstrators raised their voices against gender-based violence.

This year, France has witnessed 121 cases of femicides, the killing of women due to their gender, compared to 118 in the previous year, as per government data. The rising numbers underscore the critical need for concerted efforts to address and prevent gender-based violence.

President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the issue in a video shared on social media, declared, “Continued violence against women is not inevitable. We must put an end to it, and we will.” Macron’s statement reflects a commitment to tackling the root causes of gender violence and implementing measures to ensure women’s safety.

In the city of Strasbourg, 22-year-old Leonore Maunoury highlighted the need for systemic changes in the justice system to effectively address sexual violence. She remarked on the difficulty of proving such cases and the inadequacies of the current legal framework. Maunoury emphasized that many instances of sexual violence are dismissed, pointing to a need for an adapted and responsive justice system to tackle the pervasive issue.

As thousands took to the streets, their unified message echoed demands for transformative action, not only in addressing immediate cases of violence but also in overhauling systemic structures to prevent future incidents. The demonstration served as a powerful call for change, urging authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of women in France.

_{Repurposed article originally published in France 24}