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Thousands of people protested sexual violence in France while the Gisele Pelicot case continues | World News

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Thousands of people protested sexual violence in France while the Gisele Pelicot case continues | World News

Thousands of people in France protested sexual violence on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Women carried banners saying “We will not serve the rearmament of the state” and “sexist violence, fascist violence, same feminist struggle”.

Dozens of people in Paris dressed as World War II feminist symbol Rosie the Riveter.

A person holds a banner while participating in a demonstration to protest femicide, sexual violence and all forms of gender-based violence on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Paris, France, November 23, 2024. The banner reads: "no no". REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
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Women dressed as Rosie the Riveter protest sexual violence. Image: Reuters

Femi Otitoju, a member of the Million Women Rising campaign group, told Sky News that sexual violence had become “rampant”.

“What’s really happening here is that every day we get a little bit of insight into the ordinary violence that women face every day,” she said.

“Violence against women and girls is an ongoing problem, even an epidemic.”

A person holds a banner while participating in a demonstration to protest femicide, sexual violence and all forms of gender-based violence on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Paris, France, November 23, 2024. The banner reads: "no no". REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
Picture:
Image: Reuters

She continued: “We should be shocked to see how widespread sexual violence has become and how attitudes towards women and girls change from day to day.”

Ms Otitoju targeted social media personalities who advocated “very reactionary and very dangerous attitudes” adopted by young men.

“We need to look at how social media treats gender roles and how being known as a sexual predator is not seen as a negative thing for many people,” she said.

People take part in a demonstration to protest femicide, sexual violence and all forms of gender-based violence on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 23, 2024 in Paris, France. The banners read: "We will not serve the rearmament of the state" And "Sexist violence, fascist violence, same feminist struggle". REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
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During the march in Paris, banners reading ‘We will not serve the rearmament of the state’ and ‘sexist violence, fascist violence, the same feminist struggle’ were unfurled. Image: Reuters

A woman holds a banner as participants attend a demonstration to protest femicide, sexual violence and all forms of gender-based violence on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Paris, France, November 23, 2024. The banner reads: "Rapists are everywhere, justice is nowhere". REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
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At a march in Paris, a woman carries a banner that reads: ‘Rapists everywhere, no justice nowhere.’ Image: Reuters

Ms Otitoju called on men to take action against sexual violence.

“We want men to take responsibility, never remain silent in the face of violence against women and girls, and support women who are exposed to such behavior.”

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Husband ‘ruined my life’

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Husband ‘ruined my life’

Protests sparked by ongoing events Gisele Pelicot case50 men are accused of raping a 71-year-old girl while she was unconscious for 10 years.

Her husband, 72-year-old Dominique Pelicot, had already admitted to drugging her, raping her and allowing other men to abuse her.

Most of the other men deny the rape, claiming they thought she was sleeping as part of role play.

On Tuesday Ms Pelicot told the court: “For me this is a case of cowardice, there is no other way to describe it.”

He continued: “It’s time for society to look at this macho, patriarchal society and change the way it views rape.”

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