Men and women in France are more polarised than ever, according to an annual report on sexism released Monday. Women are increasingly aware of gender inequalities while men are increasingly drawn to "masculinist" movements, the government's advisory body on equality found.
While the vast majority of French people believe it is more difficult to be a woman than a man, a growing number of men say being a man is not easy, according to the yearly report on sexism published by the High council on equality (Haut conseil à l'égalité HCE).
A quarter of French men – including 45 percent of men under the age of 45 – consider it to be "difficult to be a man", and the trend is on the rise, according to the council, which provides recommendations on how to foster gender equality in public policies.
"Women are more feminist, and men more masculinist, especially young people," HCE President Bérangère Couillard told the French new agency AFP.
Growing 'masculinist' culture in France slows down fight against sexism
Women face sexism daily
The report, based on a survey of 3,200 French people aged 15 and over, shows that women face sexism daily – at work, in politics and in public spaces.
86 percent of them have experienced sexism, and nine out of ten say they have adopted strategies to avoid sexism on a daily basis.
And yet, most respondents – men and women - believe that men have a role to play in preventing and fighting sexism.
In an interview with Liberation newspaper, Couillard says last month's historic Pelicot trial helped raise awareness.
The pivotal 1970s trial that rewrote France's definition of rape
51 men were convicted of raping Gisèle Pelicot, who had been drugged by her husband over several years.
However, Couillard warns that the trial also brought a "discourse of denial" from men who painted Dominique Pelicot and the others involved as "monsters".
"Too few men still feel concerned by these issues," she says, pointing to the resurgence of the #NotAllMen movement.
Sex education and other solutions
Nine out of ten French people are in favor of a new sex education curriculum being prepared by the Education Ministry intended to prevent gender-based violence.
But religious and pro-family groups have slammed the curriculum, saying it is unsuitable for young children.
Couillard said the law clearly requires three yearly sessions of relationship and sex education, and that the lessons proposed "are obviously adapted to the child's age".
The HCE has also recommended "gender-sensitive budgets", to compare what is spent on boys and men versus girls and women on a national, regional and local level, and to "adjust public policies" accordingly.
(with AFP)
