Protesters exposed failures in France’s domestic violence system after alarming new statistics emerged. Dozens filled central Paris Tuesday night to condemn rising gender-based violence and honour recent victims. Activist Marie-Josée, 78, signed a banner saying, “We are constantly overwhelmed by reality,” as the crowd remembered five women killed last week by partners or ex-partners.
The protest coincided with the government receiving a major report urging radical reform in domestic abuse cases. Officials submitted the report Tuesday to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending magistrates focused solely on intrafamilial violence. Le Parisien revealed the report before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, warning that domestic violence requires a fully comprehensive approach.
Rising Numbers Signal a Crisis
Protesters argued that France’s domestic violence situation worsens despite decades of political promises. Marie-Josée said equality has regressed since the 1990s and criticised indifference toward women, particularly older women. In 2024, 107 women died at the hands of partners or ex-partners, an 11% rise from 2023.
Government data from MIPROF shows more than three women suffer femicide or attempted femicide every day, and activists say these figures underestimate the crisis. The government’s observatory reports that every seven hours, a partner kills, attempts to kill, or drives a woman to suicide. Women over 70 accounted for 26% of victims, a nine percent increase in one year.
The case of 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband and raped repeatedly, shocked France and the world. It revealed that senior women also face sexual violence, a reality long ignored due to ageist and sexist assumptions.
Underfunding and Weak Enforcement
Violette, a Solidaires Union member, said society often dismisses older victims because they appear less “bankable” than younger women. She criticised media-driven attention, warning that authorities cannot wait for shocking headlines to act.
Violette also highlighted chronic underfunding, stating organisations need €3 billion annually to fight domestic violence effectively. France’s 2025 gender equality budget provides only €94 million, far below the required level.
The Council of Europe criticised France’s low prosecution rate for perpetrators and urged stricter enforcement. As Parliament debates new proposals and activists push for long-term investment, protesters warned Tuesday night that the government still fails to grasp the crisis’s severity.
