CASE. 80 years of women's right to vote in France: why do women vote less than men ?

60 % des abstentionnistes étaient des femmes en 2022. ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH. – Element5 Digital

This April 21, 2024, it has been 80 years since women had the right to vote in France. Hard-won thanks to the suffragette movement, originating in Great Britain, it is one of the fundamental rights which made France proud during the post-war period. The land of Enlightenment has finally fulfilled the dream of truly universal suffrage.

We know: the share of abstentionists increases with each election in France. What is little known is that women vote less than men, whether in municipal, legislative or presidential elections. In 2022, 60% of abstainers were female. This year, women's right to vote celebrates its 80th anniversary. April 21, 1944 is a major date in the history of the Republic, essential for the political life of the country.

A few weeks before the Europeans, it has never been so important to remember that this hard-won right is the subject of major issues of representation for women. It remains to be understood why they abstain. The fact that they are more precarious and fewer in number occupying positions of responsibility could play a role. Workers generally vote less than managers.

Women abstain more

During the last presidential election, 7 million voters were missing, compared to 5 million voters, says BVA, with West-France.

Like all rights, voting is optional. In 2022, 20% of women voted, compared to 29% of men, poses l’Insee. But the youngest are reversing the trend. Because systematic abstention is on the rise among men aged 18 to 29. On the other hand, beyond the age of 80, even though they are the direct heirs of the suffragettes, women participate less.

The question of "political consciousness" of women must be understood as a whole, notes Emmanuelle Reungoat, researcher in political science at the University of Montpellier. "It’s not just on voting day that matters. Are political representatives distanced from their social conditions ? What speaking time are women given in politics ? What places do they have in activist circles ? Who are the party leaders ?" The question would not so much be that of the politicization of women but rather that of the place that politics wants to give them.

Why women vote less?

We vote for representatives. Abstentionism among women could be explained by a lack of representativeness. If the restrictive laws on parity allow municipal, regional councils and political parties to present as many women as men, the so-called "non-binding"~60 elections ~/em> highlight disparities. Women, failing to see candidates who know their demands, understand them and defend them, would abstain from voting.