PARIS: France on Monday announced new measures to combat violence against women by their partners or ex-partners, seeking to toughen up the law as concern grows over the number of femicide murders in the country.
Since the start of 2019, at least 117 women have been killed by their partner or ex-partner in France, according to a case-by-case study by AFP based on media reports.Meanwhile each year, 213,000 women are victims of physical and or sexual violence on the part of their partner or ex-partner, according to the latest official figures.
And in a measure that has been widely called for, Philippe said that the rules covering medical confidentiality would be changed making it easier for doctors to signal to the authorities when a person is at risk of violence. Tens of thousands of people marched across France on Saturday in actions organised by the feminist group #NousToutes to demand an end to violence against women.