Françoise Héritier, prominent French anthropologist and writer, died at the age of 84, on November 15, 2017, in Paris.
Born on November 15, 1933, she was part of the structuralism movement and is well known for her theories. She noted that the distinction between the feminine and the masculine is universal and that exists everywhere and that the male is always considered superior to the women.
She called this concept, “the difference valence of the sexes.”
Ms. Héritier was a good friend of the Iranian Resistance and supported the cause of freedom and equality in Iran. In her message on the International Women’s Day, 2016, she said, “It is legitimate for women to have the same status and the same value as men. But we cannot achieve this without fighting for it… And it is in this sense that I personally have been moved by the work done by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi because I am very much aware of the quality of her struggle and the sincerity for her efforts for secularism and the separation of church and state but also of her efforts for women… She has chosen to give responsibilities, in the exercise of power, to women, even though that traditionally women had lesser roles in comparison to men. She decided to turn the tide.”
In another part of her message she stressed, “I’m not saying this is possible everywhere, in all businesses and in every country, but it is an example. Because if it works, and it should work, as there is no reason for women to be incompetent, but if it works, it is an example for the rest of humanity.”
She also sent a message to young women and girls and said, “To young women and girls who are filled with hope and aspirations today, who wish to follow their dreams in their lives, I would say, don’t ever abandon what you want.”
May she rest in peace.
