The annual report of the French High Council for Equality between Women and Men (HCE), published on Monday, January 22, begins with a bleak assessment of the situation. "Far from receding, sexism is becoming entrenched, or even increasing" in 2023, warns the independent consultative organization, whose mission is to guide public policy on equality. It draws on the results of a Viavoice barometer survey of 3,500 people in November 2023.

Some of the results are reminiscent of the 1960s. For example, 60% of women (across all generations of respondents) think they must be discreet to fit in with what society expects of them (45% of men agree) and 66% that they must be gentle and sensitive (along with 67% of men).

Some of the findings highlight paradoxes: While 82% of women surveyed already feel that they've been treated less well because of their gender, and nine out of ten have already changed their behavior to avoid sexism, they also sometimes act as its mouthpieces. For example, 52% think that, to fit in with what is expected of them, they must have children. And, while still held by a minority, the idea that it "is normal for women to stop working to look after their children," which is approved of by 34% of women, is up 7 points compared with 2023.

Expectations for standards of manliness are not to be ignored: 70% of male respondents believe that a man should be able to take care of his family financially (63% of women think so too) and 31% that a man should know how to fight (27% of women approve).

"We have a confirmation of last year's report, which highlighted persistent sexism, with, once again, particular concern for the 25-34 age group," analyzed Sylvie Pierre-Brossolette, the HCE's president. "Among boys, antifeminist tendencies are asserting themselves, and among girls, we see the same regressive trend, with, for example, the promotion of traditional roles and stereotypes."

Men in this age group, more than others, show a "form of passivity, even hostility and resistance to the emancipation of women in society," stresses the report.

For example, those surveyed are the most likely (52%) to consider that men are treated harshly, and 59% say that "it's no longer possible to [flirt with] a woman without being seen as sexist." Among young women too, certain demands are fully assimilated. For example, 58% of those surveyed believe that a woman should put her family before her career (versus 46% among all ages and sexes).

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