Macron to introduce fines for ‘gender-based insults’ in France

French President Emmanuel Macron will make “gender-based insults” illegal in France, he announced Monday.

Macron said during a speech marking the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women that he will make the “verbal attacks” on women punishable by a fine, The New York Times reported.

“The streets should not become hell for the women of France,” he said, calling “to seal a pact of equality between men and women.”

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Macron said that France’s Ministry of the Interior is holding meetings that will lead to new rules “in a few weeks’ time.”

France is also considering a series of rules that would make it easier for victims to report instances of sexual assault to police. Those measures include extending the statute of limitation for the rape of a minor to 30 years from the current 20.

Victims could also file initial rape complaints online, and public transit may start offering an “on demand” service, which would let women get off at any point on their bus routes instead of just at designated stops.

The new rules come as sexual harassment allegations have rocked the political and entertainment worlds.