The mistral discouraged activists, because this Saturday, November 19, only 200 people mobilized against sexist and sexual violence in Avignon. This is three times less than last year. Yet the slogans have not changed and neither have the figures. The procession wandered through the streets of Avignon from Place Jean Jaurès to Place Pie. A demonstration at the call of 11 Vaucluse associations including Family Planning, the 84 Women’s Rights Collective and Women in Solidarity. At the national level, it was the collective #NousToutes which called for demonstrations.

Strong testimonials and worrying figures

Catharina is part of the procession. She doesn’t speak French very well but her make-up speaks for her. With black and red paint she got handprints on her mouth and neck. She explains that she suffered domestic violence. Participating in this mobilization was therefore essential for her.

Another symbolic image marked the spirits this Saturday: the 50 silhouettes of women on white panels. This is the representation of some of these women who died under the blows of their spouse, ex or husband. Johanna Rage is prevention director near the city of Avignon. She was in charge of this project: “As part of work of general interest or TIG, we have set up painting workshops to carry out this exhibition. For us, it is a symbolic and strong means of raising awareness among curious passers-by”.

In fact, national feminist associations count more than a hundred women died victims of domestic violence since the beginning of 2022. Local representatives are calling for more human and financial resources to fight against this scourge.