(international and interdenominational)
TRANSCRIPT
7311 - France Background information1ST March 2013
FRANCE
France, our nearest neighbour, is a large country with a rich and varied history, even up to recent times. In this leaflet we can only give a taste – or perhaps we should say “un goût”. GEOGRAPHY This hexagon-shaped country, covering 551,500 sq km, stretches between the English Channel in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean Sea in the south. The mountain ranges of the Pyrenees form a natural border with Spain; the Jura and Alps with Italy and Switzerland, and the River Rhine with Germany. France shares borders with Belgium to the north and Luxembourg to the north-east. River basins and gently rolling hills encompass much of northern and western France, while the plateaux and mountains of the Massif Central extend through large parts of southern and central France. Important rivers include the Rhône, the Loire and the Seine. Mont Blanc is the highest point at 4,808m. The regions to the north and west share a temperate maritime climate with plenty of rain. The interior has a mild continental climate with warm summers and cool winters. Southern France has a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild rainy winters. The Mistral is a hot wind that blows from north to south in summer and may cause fires in the south. There are seven national parks throughout metropolitan France, the last created in 2011, thus protecting 2% of the total area. They draw over seven million visitors every year. France still has the Overseas Territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique (Caribbean), Guyana (S. America), Réunion (Indian Ocean), Mayotte, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna (S. Pacific) and St. Pierre and Miquelon (Newfoundland, Canada). France has a wide range of Fauna and Flora. The large predatory animals of prehistoric times, such as wolves, brown bears and elk have disappeared, though bears still live as a protected species in the Pyrenees Mountains. Smaller animals include martens, wild pigs, foxes, weasels, bats, rodents and rabbits. By the 15th century France had largely been denuded of its primeval forests and was forced to rely on Scandinavia and its North American colonies for timber. Significant remaining forested areas are in the Gascony region and in the Alsace-Ardennes area. The Ardennes Forest was the scene of extensive fighting in both world wars. The red poppies of the fields are perhaps the most well–known flowers, as are ‘fleur de lys’ (white lilies) and carnations. Lavender grows in the fields of Provence, mimosa in the south of France and the gentian and other alpine spring flowers appear with the melting snows in the Alps. HISTORY – from earliest days... In the caves of Lascaux, the famous wall paintings estimated to be from about 18,000 BC give us an idea of France’s prehistoric settlers. For four centuries, the Roman Empire controlled the land of Gaul, inhabited by this time by the Celts. From the 4th Century AD many other tribes invaded the land, the Franks under their king, Clovis, giving the country the name by which it is known now. Clovis was baptised into the Catholic faith in 496 AD, giving France its title of ‘eldest daughter of the Church’. The kings of France began to increase the size and importance of their realm through conquests – either through war or marriage – but relied on the support of the Catholic Church. During the Reformation many aristocrats became Protestant, but the king was always the upholder of Catholicism. After the Wars of Religion, Henri IV, having converted to Catholicism on becoming king, published the Edict of Nantes, allowing Protestants to live and worship equally with Catholics. 100 years later in 1685 AD this Edict was revoked by Louis XIV, grandson of Henri IV, who was told by advisors that this large religious minority was a threat to the absolute authority of the monarch. Pastors were exiled, but the Protestant worshippers were forbidden to leave France. However about 200,000 – the Huguenots – left for other parts of Europe. They
brought their textile skills of weaving and lace-making to parts of England and Ireland. Their descendents are still living in the same areas. At this same time, many foreign scholars and artists came to France as part of the Court. The majority of the population were peasants with no land rights. Wars, excessive taxation and food shortages led to unrest. Any rebellion was crushed mercilessly. In 1635, under King Louis XIII, the Académie Française was created to define the French Language through an official dictionary. Along with administration, language bonded the French society. A few regional languages, considered as part of the French heritage, have survived in the corresponding ‘départements’, namely Alsatian, Basque, Breton, Catalan, Corsican, Occitan and Languedoc. ... to more recent times In the 18th century, rationalist philosophers called for the separation of power between the Church and the State and also for freedom of speech. The French Revolution of 1789 changed French society in every way. The State became secular and aristocrats and clergy lost their privileges, if not their lives. ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’ became the motto of the political system. After the execution of the king, the country was re-organised with the national flag we know today and a new calendar, although this was discontinued. Napoleon Bonaparte used the tensions of the time to build up an Empire with an efficient administrative system. However the Empire later collapsed and for a time the monarchy was restored. In the 19th Century the increase in wealth from industrialisation was only enjoyed by the upper and middle classes. The idea of a working class was formed and this concept swept through all Europe, leading to the Revolution of 1848. During the Second Empire, led by Napoleon’s nephew, there was rapid industrial and economic growth and the acquisition of the colonies in Africa and parts of Asia. The two World Wars brought devastation to France. Members of the wartime Resistance came to power, hoping to organise a society based on solidarity and justice including a health service, freedom of the Press and laws to protect young people. A new appeased Europe was an aim, encouraging the pooling of resources and commodities, thus laying the foundation for the European Union. RELIGION The Franks were the first tribe in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire to convert to Christianity and they called themselves ’the most Christian Kingdom in France’. This was in the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD and by the 4th century Christianity was well established. The French Revolution brought immediate religious freedom, and Napoleon I brought about religious peace by a Concordat signed by the Vatican to bring about official status to Protestants and Jews. During and after the Second World War, Christians and non-believers were brought together in a fellowship of suffering. Official statistics of the religions and ethnic origins of citizens have been banned since 1945. However, continuing opinion polls and surveys have estimated that the population consists of approximately 62% Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant, 1% Jewish, 6% Muslim, 1% Buddhist and 27% of no religious affiliation. Over the past 30 years, various free church charismatic groups have emerged alongside the ‘historic’ Christian Churches. Taizé in Northern France is a place of welcome for people from all over the world. It is a place of love, reconciliation and peace and is well known for its music. Two Taizé chants are included in our service. Today, Christians are challenged to witness in a deeply de-Christianized society.
All the Christian churches have been active in welcoming strangers and foreigners by being in a society based on solidarity with their sisters and brothers in distress and they encourage the local churches to welcome foreign ethnic churches. The leaders of French Christian churches speak and act jointly. In 2010 the French Federation of Protestant Churches launched an appeal called ‘Let us stand firm and not let the Right of Foreigners be jeopardised’. Several UK organisations have outreach programmes in France, establishing new church congregations and organising youth camps. ART AND CULTURE The Louvre in Paris is the home of the ‘most famous painting in the world’ – the Mona Lisa – and France was the home of many important painters, sculptors, musicians, playwrights and writers. Molière, Victor Hugo, Debussy, Monet, Cézanne, Le Corbusier are just a few of the names we are familiar with; you can go on to name some of your own. Paris is the home of a multitude of art galleries and museums. It is also the home of the Ballet Rambert – and the Moulin Rouge! An important part of French culture is its cuisine. Each region has its own traditional recipes and the country’s wines and cheeses are famous worldwide. Families, friends and neighbours enjoy meeting for a gourmet meal as this is an opportunity to enjoy both good food and good company. On occasions like this, even the children are allowed to stay up and join in. French foods we are familiar with are Quiche Lorraine, baguettes, croissants, batons, ratatouille and frites. Most towns and villages have a pâtisserie which can be a meeting place where the French like to enjoy coffee and a cake. Bon appétit! EDUCATION State schools are secular and free. They accept children from the age of 3 and schooling is compulsory up to the age of 16. The State controls the curriculum and at any given time of the day, all pupils in a particular year will be studying the same lesson. Universities welcome all secondary school graduates. ‘Grandes Écoles’ or Higher Education Institutes train the country’s administrative and technical élite. HEALTH The health care system is available to all and is financed by contributions paid from everyone’s salary. This covers pensions, health expenses and work-related accidents. Patients can select their own doctors, hospitals or private clinics. Optical services and dentistry are all free, unless there are exceptional items. If private healthcare is opted for and private health insurance has been paid through an employer, either fees are not charged at all, or they are charged and later reimbursed. This access to healthcare has helped increase life expectancy, but is becoming more costly. The World Health Organisation ranks France very highly in its provision of healthcare. POLITICAL ORGANISATION France is a ‘Republic – one and indivisible’ with a parliamentarian system of a National Assembly and Senate. The president is elected for five years and can be re-elected for one further 5 year term. The President appoints the members of the Government. The judiciary guards its independence carefully. Part of national sovereignty has been transferred to the European Union. The political parties range from the Revolutionary left to the Nationalist extreme right. They accept the principle of a market economy. France is divided into 26 Régions which are then sub-divided into 101 Départements, administered by a Préfet who represents Central Government. A powerful administration forms a link between the Government and the citizens. Recent devolution of powers has granted more local power to the Régions.
The country remains centralised. Roads, railways and motorways were built in the shape of a web, with Paris in the centre. Paris is the economic, financial and political capital, with 2.2 million inhabitants. The main TV and radio stations are located here. POPULATION On 1st January 2010, the total population was nearly 63 million plus 2.5 million living in overseas Départements and Territories. Increased life expectancy has resulted in an ageing population. The percentage of those who are 60+ grew from 17% to 22% between 1980 and 2009. Children born on French soil with at least one French parent are offered French nationality as a ‘right of birth’. French nationality is granted to another 100,000 each year regardless of their origin or religion. They must learn the language and accept the Constitution. They then get Nationality papers.Originally granted only for one year and very difficult to obtain, French nationality can be renewed for 3 years, then 10 years. After that, it has to be renewed every 10 years. ECONOMY AND SOCIAL ISSUES In France there are many small farms. French agriculture produces an abundance of grain, vegetables, wine and cattle. The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy maintains high prices for its commodities. This policy is challenged, but farmers resist any changes. The economy developed in the 19th Century because of coal and steel. Later, high technology goods, chemical industries and car and aeronautic production took over. The textile industry has practically disappeared – as it has in our country also – but the luxury industries of ‘haute couture’, perfumes and leather goods have flourished. Railways, the Post Office and education are directly managed by the State. Large corporations often have connections with the State. Small enterprises encounter complex legislation and difficulty in accessing loans. World economic difficulties give concern to trade unions who fear any social benefits gained are in jeopardy. Youth unemployment is high, particularly in immigrant families. This has resulted in protest movements, some brutal, particularly in deprived urban areas. The working week is 35 hours and from 2012 the retirement age will be 62 years. In law, men and women doing the same job should be paid equally, but in reality this doesn’t always happen. There must be an equal number of men and women employed in a firm and a company must employ a set percentage of disabled workers. If firms fail to meet this percentage they are fined, but many prefer to pay the fine rather than employ the disabled or have women in higher positions. Women are given 6 months maternity leave, which can be extended to up to 3 years. Paternity leave paid by social security can be taken for up to 6 months. WOMEN After obtaining the right to vote only in 1944, more and more women went into higher education and the professions, especially from the 1960s onwards, and there are now as many women in higher education as men. However, women do not always get equal pay with men for the same job; they are more likely to be affected by unemployment, and it is more difficult for them to be employed in decision-making roles. There are fewer women active in politics, despite a law requiring gender equality. Contraception has been liberalized, but there are still many unwanted pregnancies and women are still exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. Although laws enacted in 2006 and 2007 aim to reduce violence against women, this is still a serious issue. Only about 8% of victims lodge a complaint against the perpetrator if it is someone close to them. Volunteer organisations have opened facilities to try to help and advise these victims of violence.
Very often the job opportunities open to women depend on their family circumstances. Many qualified women have to put a career on hold while they look after children. Some women may employ a nanny to help in the home, and the Government provides public childcare centres, but these are insufficient in number. Unqualified women often have to accept what jobs they can get. Foreign women are the least likely to get work or exercise their rights. Very often they have to accept jobs in the black economy, which then means that they have no access to social or unemployment benefits. The reality of gender equality in France is still a long way off. IMMIGRATION For many centuries France has relied upon immigration to satisfy its labour needs. During the 19th and 20th centuries, industrialisation and the growth of urban centres attracted builders and miners from Italy and Poland. Spanish workers came to escape the Spanish Civil War. The former French colonies supplied whole battalions of soldiers, who then chose to stay in France. In the 1950’s workers were brought in from Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa. After the oil crisis of 1974, the Government decided to build nuclear power plants so as not to be oil dependent. This caused a surge in unemployment and some politicians blamed this on the number of immigrant workers. It was decided to phase out labour-oriented immigration. Because of this, those workers who came to work just for a few months each year decided to stay in case their entry visas were refused in future. The Government then had to authorise family reunification programmes for these workers, although these families were often housed in suburbs where there were no opportunities for social integration. France has always accepted asylum seekers fleeing on political grounds – the Hungarians, the Chileans and the Vietnamese being some examples. Almost one quarter of the current population has at least one foreign grandparent. Foreign workers are issued with a resident’s card which used to be renewed every 10 years, but now has to be renewed yearly, fulfilling the new conditions set out. They are tracked very carefully to ensure they are not entering into marriages of convenience to obtain a residence permit. If there is a question mark over the marriage, mayors may request a judicial enquiry. Even though foreigners have no legal papers, they are still entitled to medical assistance paid for by the State. Support for mothers and infants, social assistance, free education and legal aid are also provided. In 2010, there were 6.7 million immigrants in France forming 11% of the population. Of these, 34% were from the European Union; 30% from North Africa; 14% from Asia; 11% from the rest of Africa and the remaining 11% from various countries. There is a vocal debate at the moment about the growth of the Muslim population, mostly entering through North Africa. French demographic projections point to the fact that within one generation migration will become the sole growth factor for France, faced with its own ageing population. Many feel France has been made richer through the extensive contributions of foreign cultures.
Women’s World Day Of Prayer, Commercial Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2RR Web site: www.wwdp-natcomm.org Email: [email protected]
FRANCE
France, our nearest neighbour, is a large country with a rich and varied history, even up to recent times. In this leaflet we can only give a taste – or perhaps we should say “un goût”. GEOGRAPHY This hexagon-shaped country, covering 551,500 sq km, stretches between the English Channel in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean Sea in the south. The mountain ranges of the Pyrenees form a natural border with Spain; the Jura and Alps with Italy and Switzerland, and the River Rhine with Germany. France shares borders with Belgium to the north and Luxembourg to the north-east. River basins and gently rolling hills encompass much of northern and western France, while the plateaux and mountains of the Massif Central extend through large parts of southern and central France. Important rivers include the Rhône, the Loire and the Seine. Mont Blanc is the highest point at 4,808m. The regions to the north and west share a temperate maritime climate with plenty of rain. The interior has a mild continental climate with warm summers and cool winters. Southern France has a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild rainy winters. The Mistral is a hot wind that blows from north to south in summer and may cause fires in the south. There are seven national parks throughout metropolitan France, the last created in 2011, thus protecting 2% of the total area. They draw over seven million visitors every year. France still has the Overseas Territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique (Caribbean), Guyana (S. America), Réunion (Indian Ocean), Mayotte, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna (S. Pacific) and St. Pierre and Miquelon (Newfoundland, Canada). France has a wide range of Fauna and Flora. The large predatory animals of prehistoric times, such as wolves, brown bears and elk have disappeared, though bears still live as a protected species in the Pyrenees Mountains. Smaller animals include martens, wild pigs, foxes, weasels, bats, rodents and rabbits. By the 15th century France had largely been denuded of its primeval forests and was forced to rely on Scandinavia and its North American colonies for timber. Significant remaining forested areas are in the Gascony region and in the Alsace-Ardennes area. The Ardennes Forest was the scene of extensive fighting in both world wars. The red poppies of the fields are perhaps the most well–known flowers, as are ‘fleur de lys’ (white lilies) and carnations. Lavender grows in the fields of Provence, mimosa in the south of France and the gentian and other alpine spring flowers appear with the melting snows in the Alps. HISTORY – from earliest days... In the caves of Lascaux, the famous wall paintings estimated to be from about 18,000 BC give us an idea of France’s prehistoric settlers. For four centuries, the Roman Empire controlled the land of Gaul, inhabited by this time by the Celts. From the 4th Century AD many other tribes invaded the land, the Franks under their king, Clovis, giving the country the name by which it is known now. Clovis was baptised into the Catholic faith in 496 AD, giving France its title of ‘eldest daughter of the Church’. The kings of France began to increase the size and importance of their realm through conquests – either through war or marriage – but relied on the support of the Catholic Church. During the Reformation many aristocrats became Protestant, but the king was always the upholder of Catholicism. After the Wars of Religion, Henri IV, having converted to Catholicism on becoming king, published the Edict of Nantes, allowing Protestants to live and worship equally with Catholics. 100 years later in 1685 AD this Edict was revoked by Louis XIV, grandson of Henri IV, who was told by advisors that this large religious minority was a threat to the absolute authority of the monarch. Pastors were exiled, but the Protestant worshippers were forbidden to leave France. However about 200,000 – the Huguenots – left for other parts of Europe. They
brought their textile skills of weaving and lace-making to parts of England and Ireland. Their descendents are still living in the same areas. At this same time, many foreign scholars and artists came to France as part of the Court. The majority of the population were peasants with no land rights. Wars, excessive taxation and food shortages led to unrest. Any rebellion was crushed mercilessly. In 1635, under King Louis XIII, the Académie Française was created to define the French Language through an official dictionary. Along with administration, language bonded the French society. A few regional languages, considered as part of the French heritage, have survived in the corresponding ‘départements’, namely Alsatian, Basque, Breton, Catalan, Corsican, Occitan and Languedoc. ... to more recent times In the 18th century, rationalist philosophers called for the separation of power between the Church and the State and also for freedom of speech. The French Revolution of 1789 changed French society in every way. The State became secular and aristocrats and clergy lost their privileges, if not their lives. ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’ became the motto of the political system. After the execution of the king, the country was re-organised with the national flag we know today and a new calendar, although this was discontinued. Napoleon Bonaparte used the tensions of the time to build up an Empire with an efficient administrative system. However the Empire later collapsed and for a time the monarchy was restored. In the 19th Century the increase in wealth from industrialisation was only enjoyed by the upper and middle classes. The idea of a working class was formed and this concept swept through all Europe, leading to the Revolution of 1848. During the Second Empire, led by Napoleon’s nephew, there was rapid industrial and economic growth and the acquisition of the colonies in Africa and parts of Asia. The two World Wars brought devastation to France. Members of the wartime Resistance came to power, hoping to organise a society based on solidarity and justice including a health service, freedom of the Press and laws to protect young people. A new appeased Europe was an aim, encouraging the pooling of resources and commodities, thus laying the foundation for the European Union. RELIGION The Franks were the first tribe in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire to convert to Christianity and they called themselves ’the most Christian Kingdom in France’. This was in the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD and by the 4th century Christianity was well established. The French Revolution brought immediate religious freedom, and Napoleon I brought about religious peace by a Concordat signed by the Vatican to bring about official status to Protestants and Jews. During and after the Second World War, Christians and non-believers were brought together in a fellowship of suffering. Official statistics of the religions and ethnic origins of citizens have been banned since 1945. However, continuing opinion polls and surveys have estimated that the population consists of approximately 62% Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant, 1% Jewish, 6% Muslim, 1% Buddhist and 27% of no religious affiliation. Over the past 30 years, various free church charismatic groups have emerged alongside the ‘historic’ Christian Churches. Taizé in Northern France is a place of welcome for people from all over the world. It is a place of love, reconciliation and peace and is well known for its music. Two Taizé chants are included in our service. Today, Christians are challenged to witness in a deeply de-Christianized society.
All the Christian churches have been active in welcoming strangers and foreigners by being in a society based on solidarity with their sisters and brothers in distress and they encourage the local churches to welcome foreign ethnic churches. The leaders of French Christian churches speak and act jointly. In 2010 the French Federation of Protestant Churches launched an appeal called ‘Let us stand firm and not let the Right of Foreigners be jeopardised’. Several UK organisations have outreach programmes in France, establishing new church congregations and organising youth camps. ART AND CULTURE The Louvre in Paris is the home of the ‘most famous painting in the world’ – the Mona Lisa – and France was the home of many important painters, sculptors, musicians, playwrights and writers. Molière, Victor Hugo, Debussy, Monet, Cézanne, Le Corbusier are just a few of the names we are familiar with; you can go on to name some of your own. Paris is the home of a multitude of art galleries and museums. It is also the home of the Ballet Rambert – and the Moulin Rouge! An important part of French culture is its cuisine. Each region has its own traditional recipes and the country’s wines and cheeses are famous worldwide. Families, friends and neighbours enjoy meeting for a gourmet meal as this is an opportunity to enjoy both good food and good company. On occasions like this, even the children are allowed to stay up and join in. French foods we are familiar with are Quiche Lorraine, baguettes, croissants, batons, ratatouille and frites. Most towns and villages have a pâtisserie which can be a meeting place where the French like to enjoy coffee and a cake. Bon appétit! EDUCATION State schools are secular and free. They accept children from the age of 3 and schooling is compulsory up to the age of 16. The State controls the curriculum and at any given time of the day, all pupils in a particular year will be studying the same lesson. Universities welcome all secondary school graduates. ‘Grandes Écoles’ or Higher Education Institutes train the country’s administrative and technical élite. HEALTH The health care system is available to all and is financed by contributions paid from everyone’s salary. This covers pensions, health expenses and work-related accidents. Patients can select their own doctors, hospitals or private clinics. Optical services and dentistry are all free, unless there are exceptional items. If private healthcare is opted for and private health insurance has been paid through an employer, either fees are not charged at all, or they are charged and later reimbursed. This access to healthcare has helped increase life expectancy, but is becoming more costly. The World Health Organisation ranks France very highly in its provision of healthcare. POLITICAL ORGANISATION France is a ‘Republic – one and indivisible’ with a parliamentarian system of a National Assembly and Senate. The president is elected for five years and can be re-elected for one further 5 year term. The President appoints the members of the Government. The judiciary guards its independence carefully. Part of national sovereignty has been transferred to the European Union. The political parties range from the Revolutionary left to the Nationalist extreme right. They accept the principle of a market economy. France is divided into 26 Régions which are then sub-divided into 101 Départements, administered by a Préfet who represents Central Government. A powerful administration forms a link between the Government and the citizens. Recent devolution of powers has granted more local power to the Régions.
The country remains centralised. Roads, railways and motorways were built in the shape of a web, with Paris in the centre. Paris is the economic, financial and political capital, with 2.2 million inhabitants. The main TV and radio stations are located here. POPULATION On 1st January 2010, the total population was nearly 63 million plus 2.5 million living in overseas Départements and Territories. Increased life expectancy has resulted in an ageing population. The percentage of those who are 60+ grew from 17% to 22% between 1980 and 2009. Children born on French soil with at least one French parent are offered French nationality as a ‘right of birth’. French nationality is granted to another 100,000 each year regardless of their origin or religion. They must learn the language and accept the Constitution. They then get Nationality papers.Originally granted only for one year and very difficult to obtain, French nationality can be renewed for 3 years, then 10 years. After that, it has to be renewed every 10 years. ECONOMY AND SOCIAL ISSUES In France there are many small farms. French agriculture produces an abundance of grain, vegetables, wine and cattle. The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy maintains high prices for its commodities. This policy is challenged, but farmers resist any changes. The economy developed in the 19th Century because of coal and steel. Later, high technology goods, chemical industries and car and aeronautic production took over. The textile industry has practically disappeared – as it has in our country also – but the luxury industries of ‘haute couture’, perfumes and leather goods have flourished. Railways, the Post Office and education are directly managed by the State. Large corporations often have connections with the State. Small enterprises encounter complex legislation and difficulty in accessing loans. World economic difficulties give concern to trade unions who fear any social benefits gained are in jeopardy. Youth unemployment is high, particularly in immigrant families. This has resulted in protest movements, some brutal, particularly in deprived urban areas. The working week is 35 hours and from 2012 the retirement age will be 62 years. In law, men and women doing the same job should be paid equally, but in reality this doesn’t always happen. There must be an equal number of men and women employed in a firm and a company must employ a set percentage of disabled workers. If firms fail to meet this percentage they are fined, but many prefer to pay the fine rather than employ the disabled or have women in higher positions. Women are given 6 months maternity leave, which can be extended to up to 3 years. Paternity leave paid by social security can be taken for up to 6 months. WOMEN After obtaining the right to vote only in 1944, more and more women went into higher education and the professions, especially from the 1960s onwards, and there are now as many women in higher education as men. However, women do not always get equal pay with men for the same job; they are more likely to be affected by unemployment, and it is more difficult for them to be employed in decision-making roles. There are fewer women active in politics, despite a law requiring gender equality. Contraception has been liberalized, but there are still many unwanted pregnancies and women are still exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. Although laws enacted in 2006 and 2007 aim to reduce violence against women, this is still a serious issue. Only about 8% of victims lodge a complaint against the perpetrator if it is someone close to them. Volunteer organisations have opened facilities to try to help and advise these victims of violence.
Very often the job opportunities open to women depend on their family circumstances. Many qualified women have to put a career on hold while they look after children. Some women may employ a nanny to help in the home, and the Government provides public childcare centres, but these are insufficient in number. Unqualified women often have to accept what jobs they can get. Foreign women are the least likely to get work or exercise their rights. Very often they have to accept jobs in the black economy, which then means that they have no access to social or unemployment benefits. The reality of gender equality in France is still a long way off. IMMIGRATION For many centuries France has relied upon immigration to satisfy its labour needs. During the 19th and 20th centuries, industrialisation and the growth of urban centres attracted builders and miners from Italy and Poland. Spanish workers came to escape the Spanish Civil War. The former French colonies supplied whole battalions of soldiers, who then chose to stay in France. In the 1950’s workers were brought in from Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa. After the oil crisis of 1974, the Government decided to build nuclear power plants so as not to be oil dependent. This caused a surge in unemployment and some politicians blamed this on the number of immigrant workers. It was decided to phase out labour-oriented immigration. Because of this, those workers who came to work just for a few months each year decided to stay in case their entry visas were refused in future. The Government then had to authorise family reunification programmes for these workers, although these families were often housed in suburbs where there were no opportunities for social integration. France has always accepted asylum seekers fleeing on political grounds – the Hungarians, the Chileans and the Vietnamese being some examples. Almost one quarter of the current population has at least one foreign grandparent. Foreign workers are issued with a resident’s card which used to be renewed every 10 years, but now has to be renewed yearly, fulfilling the new conditions set out. They are tracked very carefully to ensure they are not entering into marriages of convenience to obtain a residence permit. If there is a question mark over the marriage, mayors may request a judicial enquiry. Even though foreigners have no legal papers, they are still entitled to medical assistance paid for by the State. Support for mothers and infants, social assistance, free education and legal aid are also provided. In 2010, there were 6.7 million immigrants in France forming 11% of the population. Of these, 34% were from the European Union; 30% from North Africa; 14% from Asia; 11% from the rest of Africa and the remaining 11% from various countries. There is a vocal debate at the moment about the growth of the Muslim population, mostly entering through North Africa. French demographic projections point to the fact that within one generation migration will become the sole growth factor for France, faced with its own ageing population. Many feel France has been made richer through the extensive contributions of foreign cultures.
Women’s World Day Of Prayer, Commercial Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2RR Web site: www.wwdp-natcomm.org Email: [email protected]