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Spotlight on France

French women learn how to take power, and hold onto it

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Getting into politics in France is now easier for women thanks to gender parity laws, but many don't stay the course. Local government is now backing coaching sessions to improve women's staying power. 

French Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Women's Rights Marisol Touraine speaks during the questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris March 17, 2015.
French Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Women's Rights Marisol Touraine speaks during the questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris March 17, 2015. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
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In France’s recent departmental elections, half the seats on local councils went to women thanks to laws on gender parity.

But when it came down to electing the presidents of those councils, only 10% ended up with a woman in the driving seat.

Clearly, getting into politics is one thing, staying there is another ball game. Partly because there’s no school for learning to be a politician, and building up your support network takes time.

In a bid to help women stay the course in what is still a very male-dominated universe, local government is backing training sessions designed to help female elected representatives become more politically savvy. In particular, improving their communication skills and restoring a sense of legitimacy.

We report on a training course run by Femmes & Pouvoir in Paris. The group is also running a programme to get women into politics on the French overseas territory of Martinique.
 

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