The resistible construction of local policies against street harassment: agenda-setting and implementation in two French territories

This communication focuses on a policy directly aimed at gender equality: the anti-street harassment policies in France. More specifically, we propose here to analyse the process of creating a completely new policy at the local level, in a metropole of around 500,000 inhabitants and in the Paris region. Focusing on these two local case studies, we will examine the political process of agenda-setting and implementation of a new policy against sexist harassment in public spaces (streets and public transport). These local policies centre on three main areas: awareness-raising campaigns, training of public transport company staff on the issue, and “exploratory” women-only walks. The comparison between these two areas allows us to study the local construction of the same problem and the solutions to it in two different territories, contrasting in terms of the number of inhabitants, their distance from state institutions and even their relationship to this public problem. This paper relies on observations of the work of the local policy makers (approximately 65 hours), interviews with them (17) and analysis of documents produced by the local authorities. The paper will address three issues. First, we will compare the agenda-setting of the problem in both territories and contribute to a sociology of public problems at the local level. Secondly, we will show that the local actors of this policy have limited resources in terms of activist support and human and financial resources. By analysing the resistance to equality in public administrations, we will show the considerable difficulties faced by the local actors, even to the point of institutional blockage. Faced with these difficulties, these administrative actors use a variety of strategies, ranging from euphemising the subject, to enlisting other "non-specialist" but better-endowed actors, or even appealing for state support. Based on local anti-harassment policies, we will then analyse the distant but crucial relationship between the state and local authorities, which ultimately enables this public policy to be implemented.