Thousands of women have marched through Paris to demand action on one of the most alarming trends in French society: femicide. This year, at least 131 women have been murdered by their current or former partners, against 121 last year.

Organizers, the feminist collective #NousToutes ("All of Us"), have said that as many as 100,000 women marched in Paris and 150,000 across France, making it "the biggest march against gender-based violence in French history."

Activists marched in rainy conditions in the French capital, holding signs condemning violence along with those bearing the names of victims. "We can't be silent any longer," said one protester. "How many more women have to die for the government to pay us attention?" 

Recent data shows more women have been killed in France by current or former partners than in almost every other European nation; it is second only to Germany. The killings in France are part of a global scourge that shows no signs of abating. For example, 87,000 women and girls were killed in 2017, and over half of them were killed either by their spouse, partner or own family, according to the UN.

Critics have long blamed this on a society they say is deeply misogynistic. Among them is lawyer Isabelle Steyer, who's handled domestic violence and femicide cases for 25 years.

"Today's tragedy is that women must speak out, but only when they have proof of abuse," said Steyer. "In French law, only women suffering from serious domestic violence are protected by law. That means women need to be suffering; they need to have marks and bruises and this remarkable evidence of the domestic abuses they are going through."

Much of the blame has also been leveled at the police, who have been accused of turning a blind eye to women in danger. A recent report commissioned by the justice minister further highlighted this concern. Of the 88 cases reviewed, the findings revealed that 41 percent of the women murdered in France by their current or former partner had gone to police fearing for their lives, but little or no action was taken.

It is also an affirmation of what Steyer has been seeing for decades. "Most of the time, in femicide cases, we see that half of the victims had filed complaints," she said. "And there wasn't any follow-through by police officers, or the court decided to close the case."

In response to the crisis, the French government announced a national debate on domestic violence. The National Assembly voted last month to begin putting tracking bracelets on violent partners, to ensure their every move is watched. The consultation is now wrapping up. Its findings and recommendations are expected to be announced on Monday, November 25 –  International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.