French women’s group warns that heatwaves can trigger violence against women

Paris – June 25, 2026: Françoise Brié, director of the French women’s organization, warned in an interview with France Inter that the risk of violence against women is increasing during the current heatwave. She emphasized that extreme temperatures can cause tension and conflict, potentially leading to violence against women. Brié called on society to pay particular attention to these factors, which can lead to femicide.

The current heatwave in France is exceptional in terms of intensity and duration. The national weather service, Météo-France, has placed 49 departments on maximum alert, which is a historic record. Temperatures of up to 40°C have been observed in several regions.

In this context, Brié stressed the need for awareness-raising and preventive measures. She urged authorities to implement preventive measures and strengthen support for women at risk. She also called on the public to seek help immediately if signs of violence appear.

The French women’s organization has been committed to women’s rights and combating violence for years. In particular, it is calling for the establishment of a national assembly dedicated to eliminating violence against women.

In light of the current heatwave and the risks it may pose to women, the women’s organization stresses that society must remain vigilant and confront violence together. It emphasized that the combination of extreme weather conditions and existing social tensions can increase the risk of violence against women.

The French government has already taken measures to respond to the heatwave, including setting up crisis response teams and issuing maximum alerts for several departments. Nevertheless, violence prevention remains an urgent issue requiring ongoing attention.

This situation clearly demonstrates the need for an integrated approach encompassing prevention and response in eliminating violence against women. In the current environment, where extreme weather and social tensions intersect, authorities, institutions, and society must work together to ensure women’s safety and well-being.

The French women’s organization emphasizes that eliminating violence against women is a task for society as a whole and calls for stronger cooperation among all stakeholders to develop and implement effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Finally, the women’s organization urges society to remain vigilant and seek immediate help if signs of violence are detected. It reiterated that extreme weather conditions and social tensions can increase the risk of violence against women.