“The situation is worrying”, said the Superior Council for Equality

The situation is “disquieting” estimate of the Superior Council for Equality, which has been responsible since 2019 for submitting an annual report to the government on the state of sexism in France. Although “undeniable advances in women’s rights“, HCE found that sexism is not declining in French society. Worse still,”some of its most violent manifestations worsen“, especially among the younger generation.

These observations were compiled from the second “Barometer of Sexism” produced by the Viavoice Institute. 2,500 men and women from a representative sample of the population were asked about their perceptions of the phenomena and situations experienced by women. Already last year, the

barometer report”persistence“sexism”despite the strong will of the French to fight it“. This year highlights the strengthening of sexism in certain areas, particularly in universities and in social networks. Focus on 12 figures to remember from this new edition.

93% of the population observes unequal treatment of men and women

This was the High Council for Equality’s first observation. Most French people believe that men and women are not treated equally in at least one social area: at work, in public spaces, at school or in the family.

Only one in five French people believe the professional world is egalitarian

The professional world is considered highly sexist: only 20% of French men and women believe that “women and men are the same in practice“.”A score down 3 points” compared to last year, noted the HCE. More than a third of women (37%) said they had experienced sexist discrimination in choosing a professional orientation and for equivalent positions or skills, 23% of women have experienced a pay gap with male colleagues. This figure rises to 34% for executives, one in five of whom think they have been discriminated against in the workplace.

Women represent only 36% of media speaking time

36% talk time for 43% broadcast attendance. If the visibility of women is therefore increasing year after year on television and radio according to Arcom (Audiovisual Regulatory Authority),”women structurally speak less than they appear on screen“, notes the High Council for Equality. A finding that reflects feelings: only 32% of women perceive the media as an egalitarian space.

80% of women feel they have been victims of sexism

“Ordinary sexism” is not weakening, according to the Superior Council for Equality. In the last year, women reported having personally experienced sexist situations (80%). This was especially the case in “areas perceived as highly unequal”: roads and transport (for 57%), the home (49%), or the world of work (46%).

41% of young women said they had experienced an unbalanced situation at school or during their studies

41% of women ages 15 to 24 say they “less well cared for“because of their gender during their studies. In addition, only 6% of the general population has complete trust in schools and universities to prevent gender-based acts and violence, notes the HCE report. But the year 2022 has made it possible to free speech in certain higher education institutions , such as the Polytechnic,

Tengah-Supelec and AgroParisTech.

Four out of five young women find it difficult to be a woman in today’s society

This observation was stronger among women ages 15 to 24 than among the rest of the female population. Men and women combined, 55% of the French think it is “difficult” to be a woman in today’s society, while 20% think it is “difficult” to be a man. Only one in five young women believes that social networks are egalitarian spaces, even if they are the first users. This figure fell seven points in one year.

More than a third of women have experienced a “no-consent situation”

This is one of the insights from this new report. 37% of French women have experienced a “no-consent situation”. 33% had had sexual intercourse at the urging of their partner when they did not want to, and 7% had had non-consensual sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In this area, the differences in perception between men and women are stark: only 73% of men find insisting on having sex with their partner problematic, and only 12% say they have. 10% already have doubts about their partner’s consent. Man “struggling to feel concerned and not involve their personal responsibility“, noted the Superior Council for Equality.

15% of women have been beaten by a partner or former partner

About 15% of the women questioned had been beaten by a partner or former partner, and the figure rises to 20% for ages 50-64, which is one in five women. If the word has been released since the rise of #MeToo in 2017, which partly explains why police registrations of domestic violence have doubled since 2016, the amount of feminicide in marriages hasn’t decreased for any of that. There were 20% more in 2021 than in the previous year according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (122 victims compared to 102 in 2020). According to the “Sexism Barometer 2023”, 14% of women have also been victims of sexual violence or rape.

23% of young men think that sometimes violence is necessary to be respected

For the Superior Council for Equality, is “urgent to take into account the results about the 25-34 year old generation“, among others 23% of men think that sometimes violence is necessary to be respected (compared to 11% of the total male population). The institute warned against the “backlash” phenomenon and wrote: “Five years after #MeToo, a part of a new generation of men feel weak, sometimes in danger, react aggressively, and may find a voice for political expression in a new virilistic and deeply masculine movement.

So 20% of men in this age group think that to be respected you have to “brag about their sexual exploits(average to 8%) Finally, young men are much less likely than older people to perceive the image of women conveyed in pornographic content as a problem (49% versus 79% of those aged 65 and over) . population,16% of men still believe that a woman who has been sexually assaulted can be partly responsible for the situation “, reported the Superior Council for Equality.

Nine out of ten women adopt “avoidant behavior” to avoid sexist acts

The sexism of a society is illustrated by facts, feelings, but also by behavior. 9 out of 10 women interviewed said they “anticipated” sexist actions and statements and therefore adopted “avoidant behavior”. 55% of them gave up going out and doing activities alone and 52% dressed as they wanted. In fact, eight out of ten women are afraid to go home alone at night. About 40% are also careful not to speak too loudly or censor their words, for fear of a male reaction. “This causes a loss of self-confidence in women and has real consequences on their daily lives and professional careers.“, notes the High Council for Equality. A third of working women, for example, do not dare to ask for a promotion or promotion.

Fewer than one in two French people find it problematic for a woman to cook every day

The report also looks at a series of “clichés” of naturalizing gender roles. Thus, only 49% of women and 37% of men consider it “problematic” for a woman to cook every day for the whole family. Similarly, 9% of women and 13% of men still think that “men are stronger at math”. One in 3 men and one in 5 women believe that “men are naturally better at direction than women.” Finally, barbecue is a “man’s business” for 23% of them.

14% of French people have never heard of #MeToo

If 83% of the population has heard of the #MeToo or #balancetonporc movement (up two points compared to last year), 15% are French”not really see what it isand 14% have never heard of it. Overall, France lacks confidence in public authorities to prevent and fight sexism. Governments are the last trusted actor cited to fight sexism. Associations of doctors and specialists are more confident (65% and 65%, respectively) 73%).

Ten recommendations for action

Facing this constant judgment”worrying“, the Superior Council for Equality proposes “an emergency plan massive” and ten areas for improvement in the fight against sexism.

• Increase the financial and human resources for justice, to train more judges responsible for dealing with domestic violence
• Introducing liability for the implementation of laws on sexuality education in schools
• Regular digital content to fight against degrading representations of women, especially pornographic content
• Make anti-sexism training mandatory for employers
• Generalize

  conditional (condition grants to partners in terms of equity)

• Create an independent High Authority to fight gender based violence in politics
• Condition public assistance to the written press on a commitment to equality
• Annually assesses the representation of women in school textbooks
• Prohibiting ads for gender toys (such as those in

  Spanish)

• Institute a National Day Against Sexism on January 25