Protests Erupt Across France Against Violence Toward Women

Protests erupted across France, with thousands demanding an end to violence against women, coinciding with the mass rape trial of Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old victim of a prolonged abuse scandal involving her husband and 50 other men. Demonstrators rallied under banners proclaiming messages like 'My body, my choice, my right' and 'Shame must switch sides', reflecting a growing societal movement against misogyny and the need for legal reforms regarding consent. The trial, which has garnered national attention, is seen as a pivotal moment in the fight against sexual violence and has inspired solidarity across various demographics, including a notable increase in male participants at the protests. Calls were made for a comprehensive law addressing consent, as current legal definitions of rape in France lack clarity on this critical issue. Activists stress that this movement is not solely a women's issue but a societal concern requiring collective action. The protests were organized just days before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, emphasizing the urgency of the cause.