Throughout France, tens of thousands of people, many women, but also men, marched on Saturday November 23 to demand a “ startle » against violence against women.
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This is the first time that Solène comes to Paris for a feminist demonstration. “I don’t know how many of us there are, but it feels so good. Really, it’s so important “, she said on the microphone ofAmélie Beaucourjournalist for RFI’s France service. The immense procession parades endlessly before his eyes. According to the organizers, 80,000 marched in Paris against violence against women.
All feminist associations, even those which are not usually on the same line, are involved. For his friend Gabrielle who accompanies him, it is thanks at the trial of Gisèle Pélicot’s rapists : “ In this court, there is the demonstration of everything that we can experience individually in sexist and sexual violence, denial, guilt… And I think that it is a general feeling of anger which has mobilized around this trial », indicates Gabrielle.
The primary demand of this national mobilization: a comprehensive law for a public policy to combat sexist and sexual violence. For Zoé, that means giving the right tools to the right people.
“ Train magistrates, train police officers. I think the law is well made », explains Zoé. “ I think that there are enough things in the Penal Code, but I think that it is now a question of changing mentalities, of training and of means put against violence against women. »
Insufficient resources at the moment: 12 million euros are allocated each year to this issue. The associations signatories to the framework law estimate that more than two billion are needed.
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“ Educate your sons »
In Marseille in the south of France, some 800 people, according to the authorities, 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 », We could read on signs brandished by the demonstrators or placed on the ground.
“ I feel concerned, we all have a role to play, men in particular », Explains to AFP 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. »
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“ A crime of passion is no longer possible »
“ My aunt was murdered by her ex-partner 25 years ago in what was called at the time a “crime of passion”. This is no longer possible! », exclaims to AFP Sophie Régnier Carbonnell, 52, in Toulouse where the prefecture has counted 950 demonstrators and the NousToustes31 association some 3,500.
There were 1,500 of them (according to the prefecture) who braved the rain in Rennes and nearly a thousand in Lille: “ In 2018, we were almost all women. Today there are, let’s say, 30% men. This is really good news », Rejoices Amy Bah, member of #NousToutes, in the North.
Same satisfaction in Bordeaux where 1,600 people demonstrated according to the prefecture, 3,000 according to the organizers: “ It’s nice to see a little diversity: it shows that we are not alone in defending the cause », Judge Romane, 22, looking at the few men and ladies with graying hair.
“ Since #MeToo, there has been a real shift and we must take it with young people », Adds Hélène Junique, 62, in Lyon, seen in a demonstration which brought together 4,800 people according to the prefecture, two days before the International Day to Combat Violence Against Women – sexual, physical, psychological or economic violence.
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