Sometimes, the most manifest gains are won after the most Herculean of battles. For France to establish that “force is the crime” to establish that the use of force without consent causing injury, rape, fear or annoyance is a criminal act, took years; extraordinary courage from one woman, and an uprising where other women stood in solidarity with her. France has adopted a law that defines rape as any non-consensual sexual act, a milestone for the women in the country, but overall, a strike against sexual violence. The law was passed in response to urgent calls from society to infuse consent into the law, and make sure that the law protects sexual autonomy, particularly with reference to women. Last year, Gisèle Pelicot fought her toughest battle when she took the stand in court, in a cas

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