Paris – The French collective Némésis, identified as an extremist right-wing group, has announced it will forgo participation in the annual International Women’s Day march in Paris on March 8th, 2026. Instead, the organization will hold its own event in the 16th arrondissement, a decision reached following calls from feminist organizations and labor unions to ban its presence in the larger demonstration. This development underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the inclusion of groups with potentially conflicting ideologies within broader social justice movements.
The decision by Némésis, communicated on Thursday, March 5th, 2026, comes after a letter was sent to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez requesting the collective’s exclusion from the “Nous Toutes” (We All) march. According to reports, the letter, signed by organizations including the CGT, CFDT, Unsa, Solidaires, FSU, Planning Familial and Osez le Féminisme!, cited repeated disruptions caused by Némésis’s participation in previous years. The groups expressed concerns over what they describe as the collective’s “instrumentalisation du discours féministe à des fins racistes” – the instrumentalization of feminist discourse for racist ends – a phenomenon often referred to as “femonationalism.”
Némésis to Hold Separate “Homage to Victims” Event
Alice Cordier, president of Némésis, stated the group will now organize an “homage to victims” in lieu of joining the main march. The specific nature of this event and the identities of those being honored remain unclear. This shift in strategy appears to be a response to the mounting pressure to exclude the group from the larger feminist demonstration. The French government, through the Préfecture de Police de Paris, facilitated this outcome, describing it as a “solution” that “suits everyone.”
The “Nous Toutes” collective, a prominent feminist organization in France, has been a vocal advocate for inclusive and safe spaces for women. Their website details their commitment to ending sexist and sexual violence and combating the rise of fascism and the far-right. The organization is planning a strike and demonstrations for International Women’s Day, focusing on their core demands and opposing extremist ideologies.
Concerns Over “Femonationalism” and Ideological Conflicts
The controversy surrounding Némésis’s participation highlights a growing debate within feminist circles regarding the inclusion of groups espousing nationalist or xenophobic views. Critics argue that such groups co-opt feminist rhetoric to advance agendas that are fundamentally opposed to the principles of equality, and inclusivity. The term “femonationalism,” as defined by Osez le Féminisme!, specifically refers to the use of feminist arguments to justify racist and anti-immigrant policies. This concept has gained traction in academic and activist circles as a way to understand the complex intersection of gender, nationalism, and racism.
Osez le Féminisme! has repeatedly denounced what they describe as the “intrusions” of Némésis activists into feminist spaces, citing their “accointances avec des groupuscules identitaires” – connections with identity groups – as particularly concerning. The organization argues that these intrusions undermine the safety and integrity of feminist events and create a hostile environment for marginalized women.
Historical Context: Némésis and the 8th of March Marches
For several years, Némésis has sought to participate in the annual International Women’s Day marches in Paris. Their presence has consistently sparked controversy and protests from other participants, who accuse the group of exploiting the event to promote their own divisive agenda. The group’s ideology, rooted in nationalist and identitarian principles, clashes sharply with the inclusive and intersectional values of many feminist organizations. This has led to confrontations and disruptions at previous marches, prompting calls for their permanent exclusion.
The decision to allow Némésis to hold a separate event represents a compromise aimed at preventing further clashes and maintaining public order. Although, it also raises questions about the extent to which extremist groups should be accommodated within the public sphere. The French government’s handling of the situation reflects a delicate balancing act between upholding freedom of expression and protecting the principles of equality and inclusivity.
The Rise of the Far-Right and Feminist Discourse
The involvement of groups like Némésis in feminist debates is part of a broader trend of the far-right attempting to position itself as a defender of women’s rights, often focusing on issues such as protecting women from immigration or preserving traditional gender roles. This strategy, even as seemingly paradoxical, aims to appeal to a wider audience and normalize extremist ideologies. Critics argue that this appropriation of feminist language is a cynical attempt to disguise underlying prejudices and advance a reactionary agenda.
The report from Le Monde details the concerns raised by feminist organizations and the government’s response. The situation highlights the challenges of navigating ideological conflicts within social movements and the importance of safeguarding the principles of inclusivity and equality.
The upcoming International Women’s Day march is expected to draw large crowds, with participants advocating for a range of issues, including equal pay, reproductive rights, and an complete to gender-based violence. The absence of Némésis from the main march is likely to be welcomed by many feminist activists, who view the group’s presence as a threat to the movement’s core values. However, the group’s decision to hold a separate event ensures that their voice will still be heard, albeit in a different context.
The debate surrounding Némésis’s participation underscores the ongoing struggle to define the boundaries of feminist discourse and the challenges of confronting extremist ideologies within broader social justice movements. As International Women’s Day approaches, the focus will be on amplifying the voices of those working to create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
The next development to watch for will be the details of Némésis’s planned “homage to victims” event on March 8th, 2026, and any potential counter-protests or responses from feminist organizations. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and perspectives on this complex issue in the comments section below.