Thousands Protest Violence Against Women in France Amid Rising Femicide Cases

On November 22, 2025, thousands of demonstrators across France took to the streets to protest against the ongoing violence targeting women. In Paris alone, around 50,000 people participated, with significant turnouts in Bordeaux and Lille as well, all symbolically dressed in purple to represent feminism. These protests come amidst alarming data revealing an 11% increase in femicides from 2023 to 2024, totaling 107 women killed by their partners or ex-partners.

The protests demanded stronger government action, including a comprehensive anti-violence law and an annual budget allocation of 3 billion euros to effectively combat violence against women. Activists emphasized the need for better support for victims and criticized the low prosecution rates for sexual violence in France, a concern highlighted by the Council of Europe.

On the same day, a notable femicide case in Besançon drew attention to the ongoing crisis. The ex-partner of the victim was charged with assassination and placed in pre-trial detention after confessing to shooting the woman in the parking lot of her building. This individual had a history of violence and harassment and the victim had been equipped with a 'Monshérif' alert device for her safety. Despite this, authorities were unaware of any immediate threats prior to the murder.

According to the Interministerial Mission for the Protection of Women (Miprof), more than three women per day are victims of femicide or attempted femicide in France, and instances of harassment leading to suicide attempts remain high. The current situation has intensified calls from victims' groups for urgent government funding and legislative solutions to protect women from domestic, sexist, and sexual violence.

Sylvaine Grévin, president of the National Federation of Victims of Feminicides, questioned the normality of continuing to count female victims in 2025 and criticized the government's lack of concrete financial commitment despite promises of new laws. Concerns remain that budget discussions might result in cuts to organizations supporting victims, further undermining the fight against violence toward women.