Femicide Rates Surge in France Amid Renewed Calls for Legislative Action

France is grappling with a disturbing rise in femicide rates in 2025, drawing urgent attention from government officials and advocacy groups. In a stark illustration of the crisis, four women were killed by their current or former partners within just 24 hours last week. Since the start of the year, 88 women have been victims of femicide, leaving 133 children orphaned, according to the collective 'Féminicides par compagnons ou ex'.

Aurore Bergé, the Minister for Equality between Women and Men, highlighted that femicides are not merely private tragedies but critical societal and political issues. She emphasized that the lives and stories of these women should dominate media narratives and discourse, fueling her efforts to introduce a framework law to bolster protections against gender-based violence. A legislative proposal has been submitted to the National Assembly targeting these issues.

The crisis is especially acute in rural areas, where over 50% of femicides occur despite only 30% of the population living there. Charlotte, a 44-year-old woman from a small town in Essonne, shared her painful experience of enduring domestic abuse and isolation, underscoring the challenges victims face in less urbanized regions. The Fédération nationale Solidarité Femmes has called on legislators and local authorities to intensify efforts to combat violence against women, particularly in these vulnerable rural communities.

These concerns coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, which has mobilized public awareness and advocacy across the country. The government and civil society are recognizing the ongoing vulnerability of women to deadly violence and the urgent need for systemic reforms.

Amid these troubling statistics and personal testimonies, France is confronted with the imperative to provide stronger protections and supportive environments for victims, signaling an important moment for policy and social change to address the persistent scourge of femicide.