From Marseille to Paris, they are demanding a “startle“and one”comprehensive framework law“: more than 400 organizations and personalities called for demonstrations this Saturday against violence against women, against a backdrop of shock waves caused by the extraordinary rape trial in Mazan.
In Marseille, at midday, some 800 people, according to the police headquarters, including many young people, gathered in the Old Port to denounce sexist violence. “Let's break the law of silence, shame changes sides” or “No, it's no“, could we read on signs brandished by the demonstrators or placed on the ground.
“I feel concerned, we all have a role to play, men in particularexplains Arnaud Garcette, 38, who works in development aid. We are at the source of the problem and at the source of the solutions too“, adds the one who came with his family, with his two children.
A little further on, a woman carries a sign where she has crossed out the phrase “Protect your daughters“to highlight the slogan”Educate your sons“.
Demonstrations are planned in dozens of cities, including Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille and Lille, two days before the International Day to Combat Violence Against Women.
In Paris, the procession set off at 2 p.m. from the Gare du Nord to reach the Place de la Bastille.
This annual mobilization against all forms of violence (sexual, physical, psychological, economic, etc.) takes place in a particular context, in the middle of the Mazan rape trial where around fifty men are accused of having raped Gisèle Pelicot then that she was unconscious, drugged without her knowledge by her husband.
This trial with international echo”shows that rape culture is embedded in society, like violence against women“, underlined Amandine Cormier, of Grève feministe, during a press conference Wednesday in Paris. “Patriarchal violence occurs everywhere, in homes, in workplaces, places of study, in the street, in transport, in healthcare establishments…“
The call for mobilization was signed by more than 400 organizations (Women's Foundation, Family Planning, #Noustoutes…) and personalities (Angèle, Judith Godrèche and Vanessa Springora…). Unions, including the CGT and the CFDT with their general secretaries Marylise Léon and Sophie Binet expected in Paris, will be in the processions. “Successive governments have made many promises but the means are paltry and decreasing, political action is almost non-existent.“, deplore the signatories.
In November 2017, Emmanuel Macron made equality between women and men a “great cause of the five-year term“, with for “first pillar“the struggle”for the complete elimination of violence against women“.
An emergency call number, 3919, for women victims of violence and their entourage, has been set up as well as serious danger telephones and anti-reconciliation bracelets in particular. Measures welcomed by women's rights associations who, however, consider them insufficient and urge the Head of State to change gear.
Recalling the president's support for Gérard Depardieu, the adoption in the Senate of a bill against gender transitions among minors, Yéléna Mandengué, member of #NousToutes, called on Saturday for a “startle because we are all affected by gender violence“.
“Today we are very worried about the financing of associations, we are closing offices“, echoed Sarah Durocher, president of Family Planning, at the same press conference.
The associations are demanding a total budget of 2.6 billion euros per year and a “comprehensive framework law“to replace current legislation that they deem”fragmented and incomplete“. Secretary of State for Gender Equality Salima Saa promised “concrete and effective measures” for November 25.
These measures will aim, among other things, to “improve the go-to devices“victims, particularly in rural areas, strengthen”reception and care of victims” via “training of front-line actors”, she clarified.
