French Minister Under Fire for Playboy Magazine Cover.
Marlene Schiappa, the French Minister for Social Economy and Associations, has sparked controversy after appearing on the front cover of the adult magazine Playboy to accompany a 12-page interview on women's rights and LGBT issues.
Schiappa, who has been a government minister since 2017, has long been an advocate for women's rights. She successfully spearheaded a new sexual harassment law which allows for on-the-spot fines to be issued to men who catcall, harass or follow women on the street.
However, her decision to appear in Playboy has drawn criticism from several quarters, including some of her own party members and French President Emmanuel Macron's opponents. Macron's presidential campaign rival Jean-Luc MΓ©lenchon criticized Schiappa's appearance, saying that it undermines her credibility as a minister for social economy and associations.
Schiappa has responded to the backlash on Twitter, saying "Defending the right of women to have control over their bodies, that's everywhere and all the time. In France, women are free." Her response seems aimed at deflecting criticism from some quarters, while also affirming her commitment to women's rights.
French Interior Minister GΓ©rald Darmanin has come to Schiappa's defense, calling her a "woman of character". His remarks were seen as an attempt to support Schiappa in the face of criticism.
The controversy surrounding Schiappa's appearance on the cover of Playboy serves as a reminder of the ongoing social and political crisis in France. The country is currently experiencing high levels of unemployment, rising inequality, and widespread protests against proposed pension reforms.
Marlene Schiappa, the French Minister for Social Economy and Associations, has sparked controversy after appearing on the front cover of the adult magazine Playboy to accompany a 12-page interview on women's rights and LGBT issues.
Schiappa, who has been a government minister since 2017, has long been an advocate for women's rights. She successfully spearheaded a new sexual harassment law which allows for on-the-spot fines to be issued to men who catcall, harass or follow women on the street.
However, her decision to appear in Playboy has drawn criticism from several quarters, including some of her own party members and French President Emmanuel Macron's opponents. Macron's presidential campaign rival Jean-Luc MΓ©lenchon criticized Schiappa's appearance, saying that it undermines her credibility as a minister for social economy and associations.
Schiappa has responded to the backlash on Twitter, saying "Defending the right of women to have control over their bodies, that's everywhere and all the time. In France, women are free." Her response seems aimed at deflecting criticism from some quarters, while also affirming her commitment to women's rights.
French Interior Minister GΓ©rald Darmanin has come to Schiappa's defense, calling her a "woman of character". His remarks were seen as an attempt to support Schiappa in the face of criticism.
The controversy surrounding Schiappa's appearance on the cover of Playboy serves as a reminder of the ongoing social and political crisis in France. The country is currently experiencing high levels of unemployment, rising inequality, and widespread protests against proposed pension reforms.