The World With Women initiative is timed to a National Assembly vote on a comprehensive bill addressing sexual violence.
A coalition of French organisations and institutions has called on women who are able to do so to pause professional and domestic activities for a day on October 13. The action is timed to a scheduled final vote in the National Assembly on a comprehensive bill addressing sexual violence.
The appeal came from a collective launched by World With Women. Franceinfo named the Fondation des Femmes and the Paris city government among its participants. Organisers said people could take part in different ways: stop for the whole day, attend a rally, pause for an hour or join online. Men were also invited to take part and take on some everyday responsibilities.
Participants plan to observe a minute of silence at 1 p.m. A Paris rally is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at Place de la Bastille. Events have also been announced in Nice, Bordeaux, Orléans, Annecy, Toulouse, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Angers, Rennes, Marseille, Grenoble, Agen and Nantes. The Paris city events listing and World With Women’s website also confirm the call and the Bastille gathering.
The National Assembly is considering a comprehensive proposal covering prevention, support for victims and penalties for perpetrators. Franceinfo reported that debate began the previous week, with the final vote expected on October 13.