On Sunday, March 8, 2026, thousands gathered in 150 locations across France for International Women's Day, protesting sexual violence, rising conservatism, and economic inequalities. Gisèle Pelicot and her daughter Caroline Darian joined the Paris march, where the activist shouted « We won't give up! » to the crowd. President Emmanuel Macron stated that women's rights are « the fruit of constant struggles ».
International Women's Day drew thousands across France on March 8, 2026. According to the CGT, around 200,000 protesters gathered nationwide, including 130,000 in Paris. The Paris march started at 2 p.m. from Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad toward Place de la République, organized by the Grève féministe collective and about 100 associations.
Gisèle Pelicot, a victim of rapes orchestrated by her ex-husband and a global figure in the fight against sexual violence, joined with her daughter Caroline Darian. « We won't give up! », Ms. Pelicot shouted to the crowd, cheered by participants who yelled « thank you ». Caroline Darian, who filed a complaint against her father for sexual assault, said she was « extremely honored to be here with my mom, who sends a real message of hope to all victims in France ». Gisèle Pelicot left after a few dozen minutes, leaving her daughter with activists and singer Suzane.
At the front, the banner was held by Sophie Binet, CGT leader, and Suzy Rojtman, spokesperson for the Collectif national pour les droits des femmes. Sophie Binet noted that this strong turnout reminds that « we won't let the government and bosses bury women's rights » regarding the EU directive on equal pay.
The protests aim to warn of the « danger » posed by the far right to women's rights ahead of municipal elections on March 15 and 22. Anne Leclerc from the Collectif national pour les droits des femmes called the United States under Donald Trump a « laboratory », citing anti-abortion measures since his January 2025 return. Sarah Durocher from the Planning familial highlighted « difficulties accessing abortion » in France due to funding shortages and closures of local facilities.
About 20 Femen activists protested in front of the Louvre pyramid against impunity in the Epstein case, writing names like Donald Trump, Jack Lang, and Bill Clinton on their bodies. Economic emancipation is a key issue: per Insee, women's average private sector salary was 21.8% lower than men's in 2024, with a 3.6% gap in full-time equivalent for comparable jobs.
The previous year, organizers claimed 120,000 in Paris and 250,000 nationwide, versus 47,000 in Paris per police. In Lille, police reported 3,300 marchers, and in Lyon, the prefecture announced 9,600, with heightened police presence following Quentin Deranque's death on February 12.
Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: « Women's rights are never definitively acquired. They are the fruit of constant struggles, conquests won through courage, and vigilance that must never weaken ». Associations demand a 3 billion euro budget and a comprehensive law against violence, though Aurore Bergé's 53-measure proposal may not pass.
