A recent report from the High Council for Equality (HCE), published on January 20, 2025, reveals that 60% of French citizens find it challenging to be a woman, with a significant 86% of women aged 25 to 34 and 66% of young men echoing this sentiment.

The survey shows that a staggering 86% of women have faced sexist situations, with 90% employing various strategies to navigate and avoid such experiences in their daily lives.

Sex discrimination remains a pervasive issue across multiple sectors, with 76% of women citing workplace inequalities, 71% in public spaces, and 62% in family life as significant concerns.

Interestingly, while three-quarters of women find the sexist joke 'women can't drive' offensive, only half of men share this view, highlighting differing perceptions of sexism.

Bérangère Couillard, president of the HCE, highlights a growing divide in perceptions of feminism and masculinism, particularly among younger generations.

The report indicates that 25% of French men, and 45% of men under 45, feel it is difficult to be a man, suggesting a rise in 'masculinist' attitudes.

Notably, 90% of respondents support a new sex education curriculum aimed at preventing gender-based violence, despite pushback from religious and pro-family groups.

Despite the prevalence of sexism, a strong majority of both men and women believe that men should actively participate in combating these issues, with 90% supporting educational programs focused on preventing gender-based violence.

A parliamentary commission is preparing to release a report that will include consent in the legal definition of rape, coinciding with alarming statistics that reveal 35% of women have engaged in unwanted sexual relations due to partner pressure.

The report references the high-profile trial of 51 men convicted of raping Gisèle Pelicot, which has heightened public awareness of sexual violence and led to 65% of respondents believing that all men share some responsibility for such acts.

The HCE warns of a 'discourse of denial' among men, who often distance themselves from accountability by portraying perpetrators as 'monsters'.

In response to these findings, the HCE recommends the implementation of gender-sensitive budgets to analyze and adjust government spending for boys and men versus girls and women.