Women’s rights: 8 March was focused on the digital sector

Equality between women and men, which has been declared a major national cause in 2017 and 2022, is a priority objective in France “which must mobilise us all relentlessly”. The Key Figures on Equality published in December show that “despite significant progress on the road to equality, a commitment supported loud and clear by the French government, its decentralised services, as well as by associations, local authorities and private stakeholders, the report reveals that inequalities remain”.

A more inclusive digital world

 In order to address these inequalities, both at national and global level, the focus this year will be on an inclusive digital world, with innovations and technologies that promote gender equality.

According to the UN, “our lives are increasingly dependent on strong technological integration” and today “everything is a digital process”. Yet, the international organisation points out, there are a number of obstacles to equality in this area. Figures from the UN confirm that in the digital world:

• only 63% of women used the internet in 2022, compared to 69% of men;
• there 259 million fewer women than men who do not have access to the internet;
• by 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to science and technology, and today, women hold only 22% of positions in artificial intelligence.

This is why the 2023 edition of International Women’s Day is being held under this theme, in order to, among other things, “salute the women and girls who champion the progress of transformative technology and digital education”. The aim is both to assess “the impact of the digital gender gap on increasing economic and social inequalities” and to highlight “the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and fighting ICT-facilitated gender-based violence online”.

Culture of equality

“Scientific talent has no gender. There is no male or female work sector. We need everyone’s imagination, ideas and work”. This is how French Prime Minister Borne presented the Government’s announcements on improving equality between women and men before 8 March.

An entire section of this new plan is dedicated to education, with key measures that are fully in line with the Day’s theme. In order to promote gender diversity in scientific fields and achieve parity by 2027, the French government plans to put in place:

• comprehensive support for 10,000 young women who want to continue higher education in the tech and digital sectors, by acting on all identified obstacles: financial resources, self-confidence, networks, etc.;
• the provision of a platform building bridges between institutions and professional networks, particularly for women.

So many actions in higher education institutions

 This year, many French higher education institutions have planned a multitude of actions to celebrate International Women’s Rights Day. This is a practical way of acting for equality and the fight against sexist and sexual violence, through a series of events and initiatives.

In universities throughout France, actions are planned, such as:

• at the University Lyon 3 - Jean Moulin, with the analysis of the state of sexism in France and measures taken by the institution 
• at the University of Artois, with the presentation of winning videos from the I Consent competition and events mobilising men and women researchers as part of the international movement to fight for women’s rights;
• at the University of Picardie - Jules Verne, with, in association with its gender equality and anti-discrimination delegation, the organisation of a series of events to provide information, raise awareness and provide training.
• at the University of Angers, with the organisation of a conference on women’s rights and entrepreneurship;
• at the University of Aix-Marseille with many actions planned such as Dancing against sexism, dance performances, exchanges with the public and an associative forum;
• at the University of Strasbourg with the organisation of a conference on the theme of Women, feminism and intersections in Northern Europe;
• at the CY Cergy Paris Université, with a highlight its Student Health Service and Sports Service to celebrate International Women’s Rights Day with several thematic workshops: contraception, self-defence, consent, the fight against harassment, etc.
• at the University of Brest, where the entire university community and its partners have mobilised to offer a very rich special programme (conferences, concerts, awareness-raising activities) in line with the 2023 theme;
• at the University of Tours, which is organising an Equality Week to raise awareness of gender stereotypes and to combat discrimination;
• the University of Lorraine, with an exhibition of portraits of female researchers and the organisation of a photo competition “in the colours of equality”;
• at the University of Paris Saclay, which is also organising an Equality Week for the eighth consecutive year, entitled Elles, entrepreneuses, in order to encourage and promote women’s entrepreneurship, particularly that of female students, as well as gender diversity in professions and fields.
• At the University of Montpellier, where the International Women’s Rights Day lasts for a month. For its 7th edition, Donner des Elles à l’UM is proposing to advance gender equality together, through actions focused this year on women’s bodies.

The grandes écoles are also mobilising, with the Ecole normale supérieure de Lyon, for example, offering a first approach to the theme of sexist and sexual violence with Sexisme sans façon. Finally, in most engineering schools, thanks to the very inventive associations Elles bougent and Femmes Ingénieures, awareness-raising activities are organised throughout the year and even more so on 8 March.

Celebrations in 2023: 3 key figures in French women’s creativity

 In 2023, the Ministry of Culture is committed to honouring three key figures in women’s creativity. Several events are scheduled around three great French women creators, illustrious in their field:

• the actress and famous tragedienne Sarah Bernhardt (whose death is being celebrated one hundred years ago)
• a writer, the great Colette (150th anniversary of her birth)
• a little-known pioneer of cinema, Alice Guy, a major figure in the early days of cinema. (150th anniversary of her birth).

It should be noted that the Prime Minister also announced the creation of a Museum of Feminism, in conjunction with the University of Angers, in order to “pay tribute to inspiring women”, because “implementing a culture of equality also means passing on the memory of those who have contributed to the emancipation or visibility of women”.
 

 Discover more

• UNO website
• The history of the International Women’s Rights Day
• Prime Minister Borne’s announcements
• Three central figures of creation by women (ministry of culture)