Protests across France call for end to 'sexist and misogynist' culture amid gang rape trial

Thousands of protesters gathered in Paris to deliver a message: Violence and sexual violence against women must stop.

“This is a sexist and misogynist country, but we are starting to talk,” Miranda told me.

Another woman adds, “Stopping violence against women is a struggle we must fight every day.”

People in the crowd are holding banners that read “My body, my choice, my right.”

Many demonstrators have been inspired to express their opinions publicly, especially in the wake of high-profile cases such as Gisèle Pelicot’s.

She is the 72-year-old victim at the center of a gang rape case.

Over a nine-year period, her husband admitted to drugging and raping her, and to recruiting other men online for allegedly raping her.

Fifty people are also on trial with him; The majority deny the accusations.

On Saturday, Gisèle Pelicot’s face was held aloft on signs celebrating her bravery after she chose to waive her right to anonymity to force France to talk about consent and sexual violence.

“It’s incredibly powerful because she opened the trial to the public, which is really a sign of courage,” Lina says, holding a drawing of Gisèle.

“She means that sexual violence needs to be talked about and we need to talk about male attackers.”

The Paris march is the largest of the marches held across the country.

Demonstrators say patriarchal France has lagged behind on women’s rights for too long.

For example, marital rape has only been recognized as a crime in recent years.

As France’s “Me Too” movement rises, crowds demand action and challenge a macho society that needs to change.

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