“I handed him my card during the handover. She promised to come. Five days later, she is there. Jean-Marc Jouannet, president of the association Du Côté des Femmes à Cergy, welcomes Elisabeth Moreno on Monday morning for her first trip as Minister responsible for Equality between women and men, diversity and 'equal opportunities. For 37 years, the structure has supported women, victims of violence, towards housing, security and professionalization. A first public representation for the Minister who wished to show her support to local actors after two difficult months.
Explosion of domestic violence during confinement
"I was particularly shocked by the explosion of domestic violence during confinement," says Elisabeth Moreno. It is something absolutely intolerable. "The association, which was already recording a 24% increase in reported violence in 2019, noted an increase during this period:" we received twice as many calls during confinement than usual ", explains Jean-Marc Jouannet, also administrator of 3919, the national listening number for female victims.
On the program of the ministerial visit: presentation of the association, guided tour and finally meeting with women victims of violence. The new minister wanted to salute the “admirable work” of the 48 employees and 10 volunteers of this association and to stress the importance of local structures. "I am a business woman who has never left the voluntary sector because the people who are on the ground are the people who make things happen," she said. Relying on associations is the smartest thing you can do. "
"I think she will be able to understand the problems of these women," explains Sarah Ouerghemmi, member of the association sensitive to the path of Elisabeth Moreno. Born in Cape Verde into a modest family, she spent her childhood in the Blue City of Athis-Mons (Essonne) then pursued a career as a business manager.
"The previous ministry was a lot of words, few acts"
"It is an honor to have been chosen," explains Fanny Bourgeteau, head of the center for combating violence against women. "We have every confidence in Ms. Moreno to change things," continues the president, who is delighted with this cabinet reshuffle. The previous ministry was a lot of words, few acts, says another member of the association. We didn't really feel heard. "
The one who succeeds Marlène Schiappa was very touched by the testimonies of women. "You cannot help but be moved when a woman tells you that she has been beaten for fifteen years," said the minister.
"Things have to move"
"She is very attentive, very human," says Amina *, 30, who testified to her journey, which was full of violence. The one who is following a training course in the renovation trades today thanks to On the side of women, wishes “that things move, especially at the police level. I had to insist that they take my complaint. If the association has not yet received promises from the ministry, it hopes to have found in its new representative an attentive ear. And why not “subsidies for the opening of a reception structure in Sarcelles. "
* The first name has been changed.
