France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron, is facing a lawsuit for public insult after being filmed calling feminist protesters "stupid bitches" ("sales connes"). The legal complaint, filed by a coalition including women's rights groups, represents a significant challenge to her credibility on gender issues.

The incident ignites a crucial conversation, echoing debates here in Kenya about the responsibilities of public figures and the language used against activists. It questions whether a leader's private remarks can undermine their public advocacy, a matter of intense interest for a citizenry that expects accountability.

The controversy unfolded backstage at the Folies Bergère theatre in Paris. Macron was attending a show by comedian Ary Abittan, who was previously investigated for rape, though the case was later dismissed. Feminist activists from the group Nous Toutes ("All of Us") had disrupted his performance the previous night, protesting what they call a "culture of impunity" surrounding sexual violence.

In a video recorded backstage, Macron is seen asking a nervous Abittan how he feels. When he admits to being scared, she refers to the protesters with the slur and states, "we'll toss them out" if they reappear.

A Symbolic Legal Challenge

The lawsuit was deliberately filed by 343 women, a number deeply symbolic in French feminism. It directly references the 1971 "Manifesto of the 343," a petition signed by 343 women, including the philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, who publicly declared they had undergone illegal abortions to demand its legalization. This historical echo transforms the lawsuit from a simple complaint into a powerful statement on feminist solidarity.

Juliette Chapelle, a lawyer for the feminist groups, noted the apparent contradiction in Macron's behaviour. "She's France's first lady, her words matter," Chapelle told France Inter radio, pointing to a "disconnect between her public speeches and what she really thinks." While Macron has publicly championed causes related to education and women's rights, this incident has provided ammunition to critics who question her commitment.

In response, Macron described her comments as "clumsy" and made in a private moment, but stopped short of a full apology, stating, "I can't regret them." The affair has since sparked a social media movement under the hashtag #salesconnes, with prominent figures adopting the slur in solidarity with the protesters.

The legal proceedings will now force a public reckoning, not just for the First Lady, but for a society grappling with how it treats its most vocal advocates for change.