Dozens rallied in central Paris on Tuesday to condemn rising domestic violence and honour its victims.
Activist Marie-Josée, 78, signed a banner, mourning five women killed last week by partners or ex-partners.
The protest preceded the government receiving a report urging radical reform in handling domestic abuse.
Officials submitted the report to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending magistrates focused solely on intrafamilial violence cases.
Le Parisien revealed the report before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlighting domestic violence’s complexity.
Protesters said conditions for women continue to worsen despite longstanding political promises.
Marie-Josée said equality has regressed since the 1990s and criticized widespread indifference toward women, especially older ones.
Data Shows Deepening Crisis
In 2024, France recorded 107 femicides, an 11% increase from the previous year.
MIPROF data shows that more than three women face femicide or attempted femicide daily.
Activists warn official figures still underestimate the scale of the problem.
The government reports that every seven hours, a woman suffers murder, attempted murder, or forced suicide by a partner or ex-partner.
Women aged 70 and above accounted for 26% of victims, up nine percent in a year.
The case of 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot, abused over a decade, revealed senior women face sexual violence long ignored by society.
Funding and Policy Gaps Persist
Violette of the Solidaires Union said older victims often go unheard because they seem “less bankable” than younger women.
She criticized the media’s short attention span and said action should not depend on public outrage.
Violette said France’s domestic violence strategy remains fragmented and chronically underfunded.
She estimated €3 billion per year is necessary to make meaningful progress.
The government allocated only €94 million for gender equality in 2025, far below expert recommendations.
The Council of Europe condemned France’s low prosecution rate and urged stricter enforcement.
Protesters warned Parliament that officials still fail to grasp the crisis’s severity despite new proposals and funding calls.
