Dozens of demonstrators gathered in central Paris to condemn surging domestic violence and honour recent victims.
Activist Marie-Josée, 78, expressed despair as the crowd remembered five women killed last week by partners or former partners.
The protest came hours before the government received a new report urging major reforms in handling domestic abuse.
Officials submitted the report to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending the trial of magistrates focused solely on intrafamilial violence.
Le Parisien revealed the report ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach.
Many protesters said conditions for women in France continue to worsen despite long-standing political promises.
Rising Numbers Reveal Escalating Crisis
Marie-Josée noted that gender equality has regressed since the 1990s and criticized widespread indifference, especially toward older women.
In 2024, 107 women died nationwide at the hands of partners or ex-partners, an 11% increase from the previous year.
MIPROF data show more than three women suffer femicide or attempted femicide daily, a figure that continues to rise.
Activists warned that official statistics still underreport the full extent of the crisis.
The government observatory reported that every seven hours a woman is killed, attacked, or driven toward suicide by her partner.
Women aged 70 and above accounted for 26% of victims, a nine percent increase in one year.
Calls Grow for Funding and Structural Reform
The case of 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot, abused over a decade, exposed widespread violence against senior women.
Violette of the Solidaires Union said authorities often dismiss older victims because society values younger women more.
She criticized the temporary media attention surrounding Pelicot’s case and urged continuous action instead of reactionary measures.
Violette called France’s strategy incoherent and underfunded, stating organisations need €3 billion annually to create meaningful change.
The government allocated only €94 million in its 2025 gender equality budget, far below necessary levels.
The Council of Europe condemned France’s low prosecution rate and urged stricter enforcement.
Protesters warned that Parliament and authorities still fail to grasp the crisis’s severity, demanding long-term reform and investment.
