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At a demonstration in Paris on November 20, 2021, women demand "stop sexist and sexual violence"
Photo: Adrienne Surprenant / AP
Tens of thousands demonstrated in Paris and other French cities on Saturday for more government action to prevent violence against women.
In France there is growing outrage that women are being killed by their partners (femicides) and more and more French women are talking about sexual harassment and abuse.
In Paris, demonstrators carried a large banner with the words "Stop Sexist and Sexual Violence" by their elevator.
"We always blame women," said Paris protester Ghislaine Gire-Revalier, expressing her sympathy for women caught in a situation of domestic violence.
Groups fighting violence against women said that at least 101 women had been killed by their partner or ex-partner in France so far this year - one roughly every three days.
According to a 2017 national study in France, more than 220,000 women are physically or sexually abused by their partner every year.
Over 2500 emergency telephones were used in September
Activists are calling on President Emmanuel Macron's government to allocate € 1 billion each year to combating violence against women, instead of the current € 360 million.
Among other things, more women's shelters are to be created from the money.
The protester Meryll Le Goff said: "There are measures that have come into force, such as an emergency telephone for those in great danger".
It's a special phone with a button to alert the police.
The Justice Ministry said over 2500 such phones were used in the country in September.
"But there isn't enough for everyone," said Le Goff.
The demonstrations are part of a week of worldwide actions on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
jso / AP