Massive Women's Rights Demonstrations Across France on International Women's Day
Approximately 48,000 attended the Paris march according to police, with organizers claiming 120,000 participants.
On March 8, 2025, significant demonstrations took place in Paris and across France to mark International Women's Day, highlighting ongoing issues such as wage inequality, violence against women, and rising misogynistic rhetoric.
The Paris march, organized by feminist collectives and unions, reported participation figures of 48,000 as per police estimates, while the organizing group 'Grève féministe' claimed the turnout was closer to 120,000, contributing to an estimated total of 250,000 participants nationwide across about 150 gatherings.
In regional cities, police reported approximately 85,000 participants, with significant turnouts of 9,300 in Lyon, 7,500 in Toulouse, 6,000 in Marseille, and 5,000 in Rennes.
The events predominantly unfolded peacefully, though some tensions were noted at the rear of the Paris procession, leading to seven arrests.
Participants articulated various political messages during the march.
For instance, one demonstrator, Sabine, emphasized the importance of the ongoing struggle for women's rights, referencing political figures in a context of global challenges.
Another young participant, Lucie, voiced her concerns regarding threats to abortion rights and the rise of far-right movements, which she fears could undermine women's rights.
Protests included provocative actions by the group Femen, who drew attention with performative gestures denouncing figures such as Donald Trump and other leaders they associated with authoritarianism and misogyny.
The group expressed their aim to counter what they termed a 'feminist response' to a broader 'fascist epidemic'.
The presence of the far-right identity group Nemesis was also noted, which faced widespread condemnation from feminist and anti-racist organizations.
In a show of solidarity, the Eiffel Tower was set to display a message of support for Afghan women in multiple languages, including French, English, Farsi, and Arabic.
Prominent among the rallying issues was the persistent gender pay gap.
Data from 2023 indicated that, on average, women earned 22.2% less than men in the private sector.
While this disparity has narrowed somewhat since 1995, there remains significant concern, particularly as the same data revealed that, at equal hours worked, women still earned 14.2% less than their male counterparts.
Marylise Léon, leader of the CFDT union, remarked on the slow progress in closing this gap, describing it as 'unbearable'.
Feminist strike organizers underscored their message that the work of women is crucial for societal functioning, illustrated by another organizer, Amy Bah, who noted that their movement underscores the impact of women's absence in the workforce.
Addressing the professional inequalities faced by women, a report from the Cour des comptes recommended that the Ministry of Labor take greater initiative in valuing professions predominantly occupied by women.
Additionally, the issue of retirement pensions, which are usually lower for women, was raised, linking it to ongoing pension reforms perceived as disproportionately affecting women.
Government measures introduced a five-year plan in 2023 aimed at tackling gender inequality, including increased funding for support services, such as the confidential helpline which reported over 100,000 calls in 2024. Initiatives like 'Téléphone grave danger' and shelters for women victims of violence have also been expanded, although many advocacy groups argue that such actions fall short of what is necessary.
The persistent prevalence of gender-based violence was highlighted through various cases widely reported in the media, prompting demonstrators to proclaim messages that connected violence against women to systemic patriarchal oppression.
In tandem, sentiments such as 'We are born women, but we can die as such' echoed in protests across cities, alongside declarations proclaiming that while feminism does not kill, machismo does.
This year's International Women's Day mobilization reflected deep-seated concerns regarding the state of women's rights both in France and globally, illustrating a concerted effort by activists to draw attention to these pressing issues.
The Paris march, organized by feminist collectives and unions, reported participation figures of 48,000 as per police estimates, while the organizing group 'Grève féministe' claimed the turnout was closer to 120,000, contributing to an estimated total of 250,000 participants nationwide across about 150 gatherings.
In regional cities, police reported approximately 85,000 participants, with significant turnouts of 9,300 in Lyon, 7,500 in Toulouse, 6,000 in Marseille, and 5,000 in Rennes.
The events predominantly unfolded peacefully, though some tensions were noted at the rear of the Paris procession, leading to seven arrests.
Participants articulated various political messages during the march.
For instance, one demonstrator, Sabine, emphasized the importance of the ongoing struggle for women's rights, referencing political figures in a context of global challenges.
Another young participant, Lucie, voiced her concerns regarding threats to abortion rights and the rise of far-right movements, which she fears could undermine women's rights.
Protests included provocative actions by the group Femen, who drew attention with performative gestures denouncing figures such as Donald Trump and other leaders they associated with authoritarianism and misogyny.
The group expressed their aim to counter what they termed a 'feminist response' to a broader 'fascist epidemic'.
The presence of the far-right identity group Nemesis was also noted, which faced widespread condemnation from feminist and anti-racist organizations.
In a show of solidarity, the Eiffel Tower was set to display a message of support for Afghan women in multiple languages, including French, English, Farsi, and Arabic.
Prominent among the rallying issues was the persistent gender pay gap.
Data from 2023 indicated that, on average, women earned 22.2% less than men in the private sector.
While this disparity has narrowed somewhat since 1995, there remains significant concern, particularly as the same data revealed that, at equal hours worked, women still earned 14.2% less than their male counterparts.
Marylise Léon, leader of the CFDT union, remarked on the slow progress in closing this gap, describing it as 'unbearable'.
Feminist strike organizers underscored their message that the work of women is crucial for societal functioning, illustrated by another organizer, Amy Bah, who noted that their movement underscores the impact of women's absence in the workforce.
Addressing the professional inequalities faced by women, a report from the Cour des comptes recommended that the Ministry of Labor take greater initiative in valuing professions predominantly occupied by women.
Additionally, the issue of retirement pensions, which are usually lower for women, was raised, linking it to ongoing pension reforms perceived as disproportionately affecting women.
Government measures introduced a five-year plan in 2023 aimed at tackling gender inequality, including increased funding for support services, such as the confidential helpline which reported over 100,000 calls in 2024. Initiatives like 'Téléphone grave danger' and shelters for women victims of violence have also been expanded, although many advocacy groups argue that such actions fall short of what is necessary.
The persistent prevalence of gender-based violence was highlighted through various cases widely reported in the media, prompting demonstrators to proclaim messages that connected violence against women to systemic patriarchal oppression.
In tandem, sentiments such as 'We are born women, but we can die as such' echoed in protests across cities, alongside declarations proclaiming that while feminism does not kill, machismo does.
This year's International Women's Day mobilization reflected deep-seated concerns regarding the state of women's rights both in France and globally, illustrating a concerted effort by activists to draw attention to these pressing issues.
