March launches in France to protest escalation of violence against women

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of French cities on Saturday to express their outrage over the rising number of attacks against women and to demand more effective plans and increased funding to combat this escalating phenomenon.

In Paris, protesters, estimated by organizers at 50,000 and by authorities at 17,000, marched through the capital's streets while they were chanting, singing, and dancing.

The "Feminist Strike," a coalition of some 60 organizations, called for the marches, which come ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th.

Leaflets, which included, "A man kills a woman every two and a half days in France" and "Nine out of ten victims know their rapist," distributed to protesters

Before the marches began, Sylvain Griffin, the president of the National Union of Victims of Femicide, said, "In 2025, is it still normal to count our dead women?"

"I am deeply saddened," added Griffin, whose sister was killed in 2017.

Hundreds also gathered in other cities despite the freezing cold, wearing purple, the color associated with feminism.

"We have the right to love without being abused," said Juliette, a 20-year-old student in the northern French city of Lille.

The organizations behind these protests are calling for a comprehensive framework to combat violence, along with a budget of three billion euros for its implementation.

They are also demanding improved education and funding for organizations that support victims of violence.

According to official figures released on Thursday by the government agency Mérove, which is responsible for protecting women from violence and combating human trafficking, the number of femicides increased by 11% between 2023 and 2024, with 107 women killed by their partners or ex-partners.

Mérove also reported that every two minutes a woman is raped, subjected to attempted rape, or sexually assaulted, and every 23 seconds she is exposed to sexual harassment, indecent exposure, or receives unwanted sexual content.

The Women's Rights Foundation estimates that the minimum amount the French government should allocate to protect victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence should reach 2.6 billion euros, equivalent to 0.5% of the state budget.

J.J