Two different processions set off in Perpignan this Saturday afternoon, one from the station at 2 p.m., the other from Place de la Resistance at 3 p.m. Two parades which finally gathered on Boulevard Clémenceau, shortly before 4 p.m. More than 200 activists expressed their anger in the face of still too many sexist and sexual violence, and to ask for more resources from the government.
For Caroline, one of the organizers, the real sinews of war are therefore money. “With the collective Nous tous national, we are asking for 1 billion euros”, said the activist, disappointed with the lack of investment on the part of the government, while Emmanuel Macron had declared the fight for equality between women and men “great cause of the five-year term”. “Today, the associations that are in place can do nothing without money, obviously”, adds Caroline.
– Claire Guédon
An associative world that suffers, Marie works in an association that has welcomed and supported battered women in Perpignan for seven years. “It’s very hard, especially when the women come to see us telling us that they went to the police station, that we did not believe them. Half of the time, we do not believe them”, testifies the volunteer. “It’s disgusting”, she gets carried away, “we can’t let these women down”.
Activists angry with the French justice, the government, the patriarchal society, with a feeling that things are not changing, or little. But some recognize advances, such as freedom of speech, since the #Metoo wave. Recently, it was women politicians who denounced a sexist institution. A movement that gives hope to Camille, 27 years old. “I say that with a smile because I try to be optimistic. I have known women who have been victims of this and it is difficult. Better to look ahead, with a smile and to fight.”
– Claire Guédon
The procession stopped in front of the court of Perpignan, where the demonstrators returned tribute to all victims of feminicides. There were 102 in 2020, and since January 1, 2021, associations have identified at least 100.