Though advancements in civil rights were made as a result of feminist activism during the French Revolution, women’s suffrage wasn’t obtained until 1944 and full working rights weren’t granted until 1965. However, over the past few decades, the country has made great progress toward gender parity. The 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, which measures economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, ranked France 16th out of 156 countries. Gender-based violence remains high, but with half of the Ministry of France’s government represented by women, protective legislation is being put in place to combat street harassment and violence against women. Since the 1789 Women’s March on Versailles, one of the early events that sparked the Revolution, female-led social movements in France have remained a crucial part of challenging the patriarchy and holding the government to account.
Female athletes have greatly contributed to France’s rich sports culture. Women first began competing in the Olympics in 1900 with tennis player Yvonne Prévost becoming the country’s first female medal winner. Suzanne Lenglen won 8 Grand Slam tennis singles titles and was the first woman to be ranked world No.1 holding that standing from 1921 to 1926. Today, French female athletes are a consistent presence on the global stage, representing the nation in sports such as women’s football, handball and basketball. The national soccer team, currently ranked 5th in the world, placed fourth in the 2011 World Cup and fourth in the 2012 Olympic Games. The national handball team won the World Championship in 2003 and 2017, silver at the 2016 Olympic Games, and gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games. The national basketball team, ranked 6th in the world, is the five-time defending European Vice Champion and won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in France:
Katie Bourner
Carole Ponchon
How does France compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
40%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
50%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Édith Cresson, 1991 -1992
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Frédérique Bredin, 1991-1993
Michèle Alliot-Marie, 1993-1995
Marie-George Buffet, 1997- 2002
Roselyne Bachelot, 2007-2010
Chantal Jouanno, 2010-2011
Valérie Fourneyron, 2012-2014
Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, 2014
Laura Flessel-Colovic, 2017-2018
Roxana Mărăcineanu, 2018- Present
Title IX Timeline
1789
The French Revolution began in May, overthrew the absolute rule of King Louis XVI, and resulted to the establishment of the First French Republic in 1792.
1900
Twelve athletes became the first women to represent France in the Olympics and Yvonne Prévost became the first woman from France to win an Olympic medal (bronze- tennis).
1944
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1960
Camille Trouverie became the first woman to represent France in the Paralympics and win a Paralympic medal (bronze- mixed pair dartchery).
1980
France signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1983
France ratified CEDAW.
1991
Édith Cresson became the first female Prime Minister of France.
1999
France signed the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
2000
France ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
2010
France signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
100
-
107
-
107
-
72
-
177
-
291
-
418
-
426
-
178
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
15
-
33
-
84
-
74
-
110
-
102
-
19
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1900
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Yvonne Prévost: 1900, Tennis (Silver)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1960
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Camille Trouverie: 1960, Dartchery (Bronze)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1971
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
France’s Division 1 women’s league had 12 different clubs in the 2020/21 season. 20% of clubs broke even or were profitable and 81% of first team players considered football as their primary source of income.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1938
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022
Gender Initiatives
FIBA’s Her World, Her Rules project and social media campaign aims to promote women’s and girls’ participation in basketball throughout Europe.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
Hosted the Sport Féminin Toujours conference to focus on equality between women and men and the fight against discrimination, especially in the world of sports broadcasting. The conference was organized by the Superior Audiovisual Council (CSA) and the French Ministry of Sports, and supported by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) and the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF).
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Secretariat d’Etat aux Sports Francais
French Baseball and Softball Federation
Secretariat d’Etat aux Droits Des Femmes
Ministry of Town, Youth and Sport
