On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Saturday November 25, feminist associations and unions are calling for demonstrations throughout France for better protection of women victims of violence, in business, the couple or even in armed conflicts.
“Our support goes to all women in the world, the first victims, along with children, of armed conflicts. We particularly show our support for the women of Ukraine, Burma, Palestine, Israel, Nagorno-Karabakh”stipulates in particular the call to parade distributed by the association Feminist strike and signed by numerous collectives and unions.
Alongside the collectives of associations led by #NousToutes and Feminist Strike, the leaders of the CGT, Sophie Binet, and the CFDT, Marylise Léon, as well as representatives of FSU and Solidaires will be in the procession.
Gatherings are expected in Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg in particular. In the capital, the demonstration will start at 2 p.m. from Place de la Nation towards Place de la République. At the head, the families of victims of femicide will parade, with portraits of their missing loved ones.
Prevention and support for victims
Among the demands put forward by the organizers, the prevention of violence through“sexual and emotional education at school” And “the fight against rape culture propagated by the pornography industry”.
On a professional level, they demand sanctions against companies that have not implemented plans to prevent gender-based and sexual violence and “support for victims at work”in particular by granting days off to carry out procedures.
They also demand the creation of 15,000 accommodation places for women fleeing their violent spouses.
Feminist associations from several countries, Kurds, Afghans and Palestinians, will also parade in France on Saturday. “Feminists are for the cause of peace, all acts of violence are condemned”assures Myriam Lebkiri, member of the CGT confederal office.
“We will put an end to it,” promises Emmanuel Macron
On the occasion of this day of mobilization, the Head of State also spoke in a message posted on social networks, in order to defend its action in this area since 2017.
“Every day, women suffer oppression, abuse and control. Every day, blows are given and lives are destroyed. And this persistence of violence against women is not inevitable. We can end it. We must end it and we will.”promised Emmanuel Macron.
Listing the actions already put in place by the government – including the extension of the opening hours of the 3919 emergency number, the establishment of a digital support platform, the facilitation of filing complaints, the increase in number of dedicated investigators, the deployment of “serious danger phones” and of “immediate danger bracelets”or even the creation of emergency accommodation places – the President of the Republic welcomed the efforts, which, according to him, have “bear fruit”.
“Two hundred and forty-four thousand victims of domestic violence were recorded this year by the security forces. This is twice as many as in 2017. And these figures reflect, of course, the freer expression of women’s voices. This is a good thing, but the fact remains that 118 women died at the hands of their spouse in 2022”notes the head of state.
Online courses, evening classes, workshops: develop your skills
Discover
The next weeks “will mark the achievement of important commitments”he underlines, with the deployment of the domestic violence prevention file in January, the creation of specialized centers in all judicial courts from 1er January or the establishment of emergency financial aid paid for victims from 1er December. “We must continue to move forward, to be more demanding, to be more protective, to prevent better. We continue and we will not give up”he concludes.
Emergency assistance for victims of domestic violence
The decree implementing the law establishing emergency financial assistance for victims of domestic violence, passed in February in Parliament, is precisely published in Official newspaper SATURDAY. This financial assistance, allocated based on income and family situation, will be paid from 1er December, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced on Friday.
A woman victim of domestic violence presenting “a complaint or a protection order can request assistance ranging from 250 euros to more than 1,300 euros”said Saturday the minister responsible for equality between women and men, Bérangère Couillard, on France 2. It’s about a “direct aid paid in three to five days by family allowance funds [CAF] ».
This aid should enable victims of domestic violence to “ to meet their urgent expenses in the event of sheltering and separation, while waiting to find lasting solutions, access existing assistance and benefit from social support”, specifies the government in a press release. It will be modulated according to the victim’s resources and their needs, according to a scale specified in the decree published in Official newspaper.
The government will also test a “new start pack” in five departments, with a CAF agent in chargee of“organize, with local associations, the departure of womencontinued Mme Couillard. There are still too many back and forths before women can definitively leave the home and therefore separate from their attacker”.
Mme Borne also promised on Friday the examination in the National Assembly of a bill establishing a protection order “immediate”.