Thousands in France march for Int’l Women’s Rights Day

Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Paris

Thousands of marchers filled the streets of Paris in support of International Women’s Rights Day. Amid the first rays of spring sunshine demonstrators basked in the celebration of all things feminine and the many achievements of French feminism.                                                                                    
France’s cabinet is nearly half-female, and with 27% of all MPs being female France ranks 33rd in the world, just ahead of Tunisia. France has more female managers than almost any other developed nation, and that’s despite having one of the highest birth rates in Europe.

Like every country, France has both positives and negatives when it comes to the treatment of women. One cultural tradition which many want see to changed is the constant sexual objectification of women in advertising.

There are plenty of other antiquated ideas which women have to confront, typified by a recent report which said that 80% of French women have been regularly subjected to sexism at work. The pay gap between men and women hasn’t budget in more than 2 decades, standing at a whopping 27%.

The first pro-feminist measure France’s government could take is to end the years of austerity measures. The constant budget cuts disproportionately affect women, as they are more likely to work in the public sector and to require public services.

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