Whistling at women and asking for their phone numbers may soon be a criminal offense in France.
President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for an end to the nation’s so-called “macho” culture, seeking to eliminate harassment on public transportation and streets, the Daily Mail reported.
Marlène Schiappa, the gender equality under-secretary, set up a working party to draw up legislation that could mean wolf-whistling would be outlawed. The committee is reportedly working on the legal definition of street harassment and determining penalties for offenders.
“It’s a huge phenomenon in France,” Schiappa told the Guardian.
“It’s that moment when a man is walking behind a woman, talking to her, and the woman can do nothing, because she’s alone. She doesn’t scream for help, because she thinks, ‘It’s not that bad, I’ll walk, I’ll escape,'” the 34-year-old former advertising executive continued. “Men feel it’s acceptable: they’re being ‘the French lover’.”
Schiappa, a novelist, blogger and vocal feminist who was appointed by the 39-year-old president to his cabinet, has suggested on-the-spot fines as punishment, though questions remain about just how to prove an offense occurred.
“Twenty euros would be a bit humiliating, €5,000 would be more of a deterrent,” she told the Guardian. “At the moment, many men are saying, ‘It’s not a big deal, we’re only having fun.’ And we say, ‘No’.”
It seems Macron may have a bit of a challenge ahead if reaction on Twitter is any indication.
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Well that’s sexist. I get fed up with women following me for my number. Why not ban them too. But then again that would be a stupid law. ?
— Ricky Burnett (@RickyInJapan) September 20, 2017
That is not possible, because following is never a crime. I think he should be more worried about the economy of his country
— Prince 01 (@deyemo1) September 20, 2017
Is Macron for real?? It’s France and it’s what makes France tick! Its what makes France French!!
— Brian Webb (@BrianWebb15) September 20, 2017
Meanwhile, France continues to import staggering numbers of orthodox Muslims who believe in the complete subordination of women.
— Sam Mirejovsky (@SamNation) September 20, 2017
This will be interesting to watch and see how it’s enforced
— I Ebong Harstrup (@inyangeh) September 20, 2017
Will women also be banned from it, or is it a sexist law? And what about men on men and women on women!
— Jesus Mary & Joseph (@letsmakeshitup) September 20, 2017
@MarleneSchiappa Talk about control freaks why don’t you ban talking in public..? What about if women do to men how would u prove it.?
— Benjo Fowler (@BfFowler) September 20, 2017
boy between the terrorism and now no “machismo” culture tourism in France is dead
— ?Darla? (@DarlaMckenna) September 20, 2017
Hate how women in pwr presume to speak for all of us.
— Ella Soes (@ella_soes) September 20, 2017
Outlawing Wolf whistles ? oh yeah that’ll stop the rapes – they should concentrate on real crime not BS’ing the public with this – wont work
— Grumpy old git (@UTwattaMungus) September 20, 2017
This will show #NorthKorea “Emmanuel Macron’s plan to end ‘macho’ culture in #France”
https://t.co/aIEAaxAo32— Kathy Tavoularis (@KathyTavoularis) September 20, 2017
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