A letter of alert was sent to General de Courrèges, the commander of the prestigious military academy of Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan, on February 12th, highlighting a deteriorating situation within the institution. The letter, signed by several professors, detailed instances of widespread harassment towards female students in the 2nd battalion, with some “cadres” contributing to these events. The educators expressed concern over repeated discriminatory comments and cases of sexual misconduct, urging the general to take action to stop these behaviors, as previous warnings had been ignored for at least a month.
Following the letter, a group of professors met with part of the academy command to discuss the situation. They presented a written note outlining the incidents reported by students, which included a disturbing list of behavior. This included a competition on WhatsApp groups to make derogatory comments towards women, an image circulated with the title “Club of feminist misogynists,” enforced dress code restrictions for female students, and instances of harassment being dismissed by superiors. The gravity of the situation was evident, with a significant number of female officer cadets from the promotion on sick leave, jeopardizing their academic progress and military careers.
Despite the alarming reports and detailed accounts of misconduct, there was hesitance from the leadership to address these issues head-on, dismissing them as “weak signals” and fearing repercussions on the promotion. The academy declined to comment on the matter, leaving students feeling disillusioned and frustrated with the lack of action being taken. A sense of impunity seemed to prevail among certain male students, who continued to make derogatory remarks and mock their female counterparts, creating a toxic atmosphere within the institution that was allowed to persist unchallenged.
The situation at Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan highlighted broader challenges within the military regarding the treatment of women and the prevalence of gender-based discrimination and harassment. The lack of accountability and swift action in response to reports of misconduct raised concerns about the effectiveness of the leadership in addressing such issues. Female students found themselves vulnerable and unsupported in a hostile environment, with their well-being and academic pursuits compromised by the pervasive culture of sexism and harassment within the academy.
In light of the disturbing revelations and the lack of adequate response from the academy’s leadership, there was a growing call for accountability and concrete measures to address the systemic issues of harassment and discrimination within the military institution. It became imperative for the command to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, prioritize the safety and well-being of all students, and implement robust mechanisms to prevent and address instances of misconduct. The need for a cultural shift and a zero-tolerance approach towards gender-based discrimination and harassment within the military became increasingly apparent, signaling a necessary reckoning with deeply entrenched toxic behaviors and attitudes within the institution.
