” Adopt the right behavior. This warning stands out on the gates of the archaeological excavation site underway in the center of the city of Saint-Denis, led by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) and the Archeology Unit of the city of Saint-Denis.(Seine – Saint-Denis). On the posters a kneeling woman digs the earth with a trowel. A text accompanies the image:
We ask you to respect the work of the women archaeologists, who work on this excavation site every day. We remind you that any lack of respect towards them will be the subject of a complaint and prosecution, as required by law. As of August 2018, gender contempt is a criminal offence. The law was strengthened in April 2023. The offense is now punishable by a fine of up to €3,750.
Sexist comments cascade
Why this warning? Because in recent weeks the women who work on this site have been harassed by passersby, sometimes the subject of sexist comments, sometimes hailed across fences.
When questioned by the actu.fr site, Oriane Filhol, head of women’s rights and solidarity at the town hall of Saint-Denis, specifies: the archaeologists were ” victims of two types of attack. The former tied to their bodies, because stupidly, since it’s hot, they wear tank tops; the latter, because they they would do the work of a man and that their place would be at home “.
Here we find one of the fetishist rhetoric of patriarchy: we must at all costs keep women out of the public sphere and confine them instead to the domestic space. This requires reminding them at all times that they are not welcome, even in their own workplace, where they have the competence and legitimacy to exercise anyway.
Far from surprising comments Laura Mary, from the Paye ta Troelle collective, also questioned by our colleagues fromnews.fr : “ In our environment, the physique and capabilities of women are very often questioned. From people outside the site, but also from male colleagues “.
As BFMTV reports, the posters were partially torn down by passers-by. However, things would have calmed down and no complaints have yet been filed.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
