In the Streets of Avignon

Avignon is a beautiful town Situated on the River Rhône. It has a number of historic buildings , which include The Palais des Papes(Popes' Palace, )and the Pont Saint Bénezet, which is a world heritage site. This twelfth century bridge is the one we all sang about at school, and it once spanned the entire river bringing pilgrims to and from Spain. Now only four arches remain, but over 300,000 people visit it every year.

But there is another reason at the moment that Avignon is the centre of world-wide attention. For it is staging a trial that is of enormous significance, above all to women. Dominiqe Pélicot is being tried, along with another 50 men , who together are accused of raping his wife, Gisèle Pélicot , while she was drugged. What is so utterly remarkable is that Gisèle Pélicot has waived her right to anonymity , and has been present for every single one of the 48 days of the trial. The summing up has just begun. This is a much uglier side of Avignon, but one of significance everywhere.

And women everywhere have taken up her cause. They have flocked to the court house to offer support, and slogans in the form of hand held placards, and banners which have been pasted on buildings, have been seen everywhere. Here are just a few of them.

I was sacrificed on the altar of vice Gisèle

One rape every six minutes

Rape is Rape

Rape is Rape

But Avignon is not the only French town in which women are protesting. Our drive into town takes us underneath the motorway. This motorway then continues above the town, whilst we proceed past an enormous wall. As we went into town today, it was raining heavily. I noticed that someone had pasted two large strips of paper along it. On our return we pulled into a layby to read more. This is what it said.

A woman dies every three days at the hands of a man

Bon courage Mme Pélicot. And Bon courage to all women who have taken up her cause, on behalf of women everywhere.