Femen stages topless protest in Paris for International Women’s Day
Pig masks and body-painted slogans targeted figures linked to the Epstein scandal
Topless activists from the feminist protest group Femen staged a demonstration in Paris on March 8, using their signature form of nude protest to draw attention to sexual exploitation and powerful figures linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The protest unfolded near the Louvre Museum during International Women’s Day, when large demonstrations took place across the French capital calling attention to gender inequality, violence against women, and labor rights. Amid the larger marches, the Femen action stood out for its theatrical staging and stark imagery.
Video and photographs from the scene show several activists appearing topless with slogans painted across their chests and backs. The demonstrators wore pig masks and staged brief choreographed poses aimed at condemning wealthy and politically connected men accused of enabling sexual exploitation networks. Some slogans referenced figures associated with the Epstein case, while others appeared to call for accountability from those linked to the scandal.
The protest lasted only a short time before police moved to disperse the activists, but images from the demonstration circulated widely online and through international media.
Femen has become known for this type of visually confrontational protest since the group formed in Ukraine in 2008. The organization describes its tactics as a form of “sextremism,” using the female body as a political symbol intended to confront patriarchal power structures and attract media attention. Over the years, the group has staged topless protests at churches, embassies, political rallies, and international events. France has served as one of the movement’s primary bases since several members relocated to Paris in the early 2010s, making the city a frequent stage for its demonstrations.
International Women’s Day has also become a recurring moment for the group’s activism. While the day typically features large marches organized by labor unions and feminist organizations, Femen’s smaller interventions often aim to produce striking images that circulate beyond the protest itself.
The use of nudity as protest remains a point of debate even within feminist circles. Supporters argue that reclaiming the naked body can transform it into a symbol of defiance and autonomy. Critics counter that the spectacle of nudity risks overshadowing the political message or reinforcing the media dynamics it seeks to challenge. Femen has continued to rely on the tactic nonetheless. The group’s demonstrations are typically brief and involve only a handful of activists, but the imagery often travels widely through news photography and social media.
That dynamic was on display again in Paris. Within hours of the demonstration, images of the topless activists wearing pig masks and displaying body-painted slogans had spread internationally, placing the protest — and the issues it sought to highlight — into the global conversation surrounding International Women’s Day. 🪐