“Being a woman on the street is always more complicated”

The increase in the number of women on the street is known to those on the ground, but also to the highest levels of the State. The recent report from the Senate women's rights delegation bears witness to this. Made public on October 9, 2024, it shows that 38% of homeless people are women.

Less visible, more vulnerable in public space, they often evoke “a double punishment”. In Tours, a handful of them benefited from the distribution by the NGO United Riders for the homeless in Tours, Monday November 11.

“We know where to look”

Like Gaëlle, 39, homeless for six years. With her dog Véner, she came to get some clothes, hygiene and basic necessities, including periodic protection. “Being a woman on the street is always more complicated. With practice, we know where to look for what we need. Associations do a lot of things”explains Gaëlle.

A victim of menstrual insecurity for a while, she obtained sanitary napkins thanks to the Samu social's raids or from Entraide et Solidarités. And manages to feed himself ” correctly “ by begging, even if fewer and fewer people from Tours have change on them, due to the generalization of payment by bank card.

“The round is random. Some continue to give, others come back later with coins, some will withdraw money or bring me food. We always manage to have something. Above all, I refuse nothing”she confides. And without ever blaming those who don't give. “You don’t give me today, maybe you will give me tomorrow!” » For her dog Véner's kibble, she goes to La Table de Jeanne-Marie every Wednesday.

“Take care of yourself”

In addition to a roof over her head, Gaëlle misses little pleasures. “Nice beauty products like cream, makeup… Taking care of yourself always helps your morale”she explains.

This is why she took a trip to the hairdressing stand of the NGO United Riders. She opted for a plunging bob made by Christine, a volunteer hairstylist whom she knows well since she styles “deprived” once a month on the prowl.

“Being a woman on the street also means not being able to wear makeup or do your hair. Women are a very minority, they represent barely one in five beneficiaries”estimates the hairdresser. An observation that cannot be explained. And neither does Gaëlle: “It feels so good to feel prettier, to remain a woman”.