Main content

#metoo? The French Resistance

BBC journalist Helene Daouphars investigates the resistance French women face when they speak up about sexual harassment and why #metoo didn't take hold in France.

When the #metoo movement spread around the world in 2016, thousands of women followed in France using the hashtag #balancetonporc (expose your pig). But soon using the hashtag became controversial for its vociferousness and created much debate. A tribune defending the right to flirt signed by 100 French women including Catherine Deneuve published in Le Monde newspaper shocked and fuelled the controversy. Men also got involved, complaining about the movement.
Why was #metoo so controversial in France? BBC journalist Helene Daouphars takes us on a trip to her home country where she investigates the resistance French women face when they speak up about sexual harassment and why #metoo didn't take hold there.
She meets with politician Segolene Royal, historian Michelle Perrot, Activists Marie Laguerre, Caroline De Haas and Sandra Muller, students and sociologist to find out.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 5 Apr 201908:00GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 16 Mar 201902:30GMT
  • Sat 16 Mar 201905:30GMT
  • Sat 16 Mar 201910:30GMT
  • Sat 16 Mar 201915:30GMT
  • Sun 17 Mar 201909:30GMT
  • Sun 17 Mar 201920:30GMT
  • Sun 17 Mar 201922:30GMT
  • Fri 22 Mar 201910:00GMT
  • Thu 28 Mar 201910:30GMT
  • Sat 30 Mar 201902:30GMT
  • Sat 30 Mar 201915:30GMT
  • Sun 31 Mar 201909:30GMT
  • Sun 31 Mar 201921:30GMT
  • Fri 5 Apr 201908:00GMT