PARIS: French women are protesting sexual abuse and harassment in 11 cities across the country under the #MeToo banner in the wake of mounting allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Women’s group Les Effronte-e-s has called on women to “go on the street to show ... we are thousands and thousands who have to live, cushion the blow, digest it and handle often-traumatising experiences.”

In Paris, a few hundred people gathered on the Republic Plaza for the protest on Sunday.

French statistics show that over 80,000 adult women face rape or attempted rape every year in the country but only 10 per cent file a complaint.

The French government last week proposed a bill aiming to eventually make harassment against women in French streets an offence that will be punished with fines.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2017