Commemorating a Milestone: Financial Autonomy for Married Women in France
Celebrating the 1965 legal reform granting financial autonomy to married women in France.
Key Points
- • July 13, 1965, marked a legal change allowing married women to manage finances independently.
- • Before this law, women's financial actions required their husbands' authorization.
- • The law granted legal capacity to married women for financial activities.
- • Banks like Société Générale celebrate this milestone with empowering campaigns.
On July 13, 1965, France took a critical step towards gender equality by enacting a law that allowed married women to manage their finances independently. This legal change marked the end of the requirement for married women to obtain 'marital authorization' to perform basic financial tasks such as opening bank accounts or signing contracts. Before this reform, although one-third of married women were already part of the workforce, they faced significant limitations in financial matters due to their legal incapacity.
The new law enabled married women to have full legal capacity, meaning they could engage in financial transactions without needing permission from their husbands. This landmark shift not only symbolized a change in the societal perception of women's roles but also provided a collective relief to many.
In recognition of this transformative milestone, financial institutions like Société Générale are launching campaigns aimed at empowering women financially. They are emphasizing the importance of this legal advancement and encouraging women to take control of their financial futures. The article notably suggests that while July 14th is celebrated in France for its historical significance of freedom, July 13th deserves equal recognition for its pivotal role in championing women's rights and financial autonomy.
Overall, the commemoration of July 13 highlights the crucial strides made towards achieving gender equality in France, reflecting ongoing efforts to foster financial independence among women.