France launches debate on "blatant" figures of femicide

The French government has announced that it will launch in September a national debate on domestic violence with the aim of finding a solution to stop the increase in the number of feminicides in France.

Since January this year, 75 women have been victims of domestic violence.

In an interview given to the daily of the Sunday Journal, Marlene Schiappa, state secretary for the quality of men and women, announced the decision of the government.

"It will be a great consultation and citizen campaign for all members of society," said Schiappa.

But badociations that have urged the government to do more to help women are not convinced by this announcement.

Saturday, more than 1200 people demonstrated in Paris to ask the French government to take immediate action.

In response, President Emmanuel Macron admitted that the government did not know how to protect murder victims committed by current or former partners.

National debate
Nicknamed the "Grenelle of Domestic Violence", this national debate will be introduced by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and will bring together ministers, administrators and badociations of families and victims.

It will open on September 3, 2019, referring to phone number 3919, a line that women can call if they have been abused, Schiappa explained.

The debate, she added, will help to "put in place more effective measures, adapted to what is happening on the ground".

Government Response
"A meeting, in two months and ends at five [months]"Following the adoption of the state budget, shouted members of the badociation Nous Toutes.

In an open letter on his Facebook page entitled "Mr. President, violence does not take vacations", members pointed out that the delay in taking action against feminicides was "flagrant".

"Tomorrow, the women will go to the police to file complaints that will be refused. The Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, is responsible for ensuring the safety of the 225,000 women victims of violence in their relations and fight against this crime. He must act now. "

According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, given the number of official or unofficial couples, 130 women were killed in 2017 in France by a current or former partner.

This number is up from 2016, when 123 women were killed.