– 2022 presidential election: for feminist public policies!

You are running for president of France. You dominate the French media and political landscape; you take a stand on social issues. Because they impact the daily lives of French people, gender inequalities must be at the heart of the debate. How are you making the fight against these inequalities a key focus of your campaign? How are you bringing feminist issues into the public debate, and how are you integrating them into your programs?

Overrepresented in paramedical professions, women have been on the front lines of the response to the COVID-19 crisis and particularly affected by its consequences, both health-related and social as well as economic. Yet they have been largely absent from the media, which analyzed the crisis, and from the decision-making bodies responsible for responding to it. In addition to their jobs, many women have taken on the responsibility of caring for children due to the closure of nurseries and schools, as well as caring for the elderly and sick. Against a backdrop of strict health measures and economic insecurity, gender-based and sexual violence has increased further.

The COVID-19 pandemic is only exacerbating inequalities and violence that have always existed in our societies. Every year in France, more than a hundred women are killed by their partners or ex-partners. These figures are not falling, despite repeated and long-standing calls from feminist movements for prevention and protection policies. Some women face multiple forms of discrimination (related to economic status, disability, skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, etc.). This is particularly true during this presidential campaign, which has been marked by a climate of racism and xenophobia and vitriolic rhetoric.

This must change. Feminist approaches, enriched over decades by diverse and creative movements, are the only ones capable of deconstructing the power relations and social models that perpetuate gender-based inequality and violence. Here are five areas which, according to the Collectif Générations Féministes, must inform political programs and be translated into concrete action by the future president and his or her government. Our associations are available to discuss these issues with the candidates.

1. The rights-based approach: the compass for all public action There is no single definition of feminist public policies. However, there are commonly accepted criteria that should form the basis for reflection and are presented throughout this document.

Adopting a rights-based approach is a prerequisite. These rights, and their full exercise, must be the ultimate goal of public action. Gender equality must not be subject to utilitarian logic, as is still too often the case. Approaching this issue from a perspective of profitability or efficiency, for example, is not relevant.

2. No gender equality withoutfunding Next, it is essential to increase funding for gender equality policies and feminist organizations. Public authorities have been able to mobilize significant funding to change behaviors in areas such as road safety. The same must be done to end gender-based and sexual violence. It is no longer an option to suggest that feminist approaches will permeate society without funding, relying on the supposed spirit of sacrifice and resourcefulness of activists. Our collective believes, for example, that at least 0.1% of GDP should be allocated to combating gender-based and sexual violence. In order to develop and implement these public policies, state administrative and political staff must be trained, and additional human resources must be specifically dedicated to gender equality in the long term.

3. Consistency between political positioning and implementation, in France and internationally Declaring oneself a "feminist," while politically essential, is not enough. This positioning must be applied in all areas of public policy, otherwise it risks becoming meaningless. This means applying feminist approaches across the board in all public policies implemented in France, in health, education, culture, but also defense, the economy, etc. On the international front, this requires pursuing an ambitious foreign policy that supports feminist causes. The Generation Equality Forum organized by France in 2021 is not an end in itself. We must speak out strongly in international and UN forums, but also make gender equality an integral part of diplomatic relations and trade agreements, increase official development assistance funds dedicated to gender equality, finance feminist networks around the world, and fight against anti-choice movements. Particular attention must be paid to combating gender-based violence and promoting sexual and reproductive rights (the right to abortion, the right to contraception, free access to healthcare) in a context where increasingly conservative policies are being implemented around the world, restricting women's right to freely control their own bodies.

4. Embracing feminist approaches: the challenge of representation Feminist approaches must be embraced in political decision-making. Around the world, with a few exceptions that prove the rule, women remain largely underrepresented at all political levels, including the highest. Power is currently concentrated in the hands of men and responds to virile and macho logic. This weakens democracy and results in gender issues being given little consideration in public policy in general. In a century and a half, the French Republic has always been led by men. The National Assembly and the Senate have never had a female president and have never been gender-balanced, despite the inclusion of gender parity in the constitution more than twenty years ago. Only 11.4% of community council presidents, 19.8% of mayors, 20.2% of departmental council presidents, and 31.6% of regional council presidents are women.

While feminist views have begun to gain ground within certain parties thanks to the mobilization of female politicians, they are regularly relegated to the background as election deadlines approach, or exploited for electoral purposes. Male politicians may champion feminist causes and be allies within their movements, but this support must go hand in hand with challenging the male-dominated culture that characterizes political life, as highlighted by the initiators of #MeTooPolitique. Parties must pursue proactive policies in this area, nominate female candidates in winning positions, and subsequently form gender-balanced governments and appoint women to positions of responsibility in public institutions.