Le grève du sexe

While compartively few Darrenite women hold political office, Women are politically active. Women in Darren have collectively banded together to change laws they felt were discriminatory. In the past they have held a countrywide sex strike (gréve du sexe) month to protest unwanted laws.

The first strike was to protest restrictions on the number of women admitted to the science and medical schools at the University of Darren. This protest was initiated by co-eds at the University in 1971. They were very quickly supported by their fellow male students. Mothers of the co-eds and female professors also supported the strike. Within two weeks of the strike, the admissions department changed the policy of the university. After the strike, it was discovered that the head of the admissions department was dating Julianna Florenzia, a co-ed who had applied for one of the very limited 'female' spots in the medical school. She was instrumental in the success of the strike.

Pastor Wilhemena Baxter and Wendy Mulholland have been instrumental in organizing many strikes to support issues related to women's reproductive health. Their first strike was in support of the government paying for all contraceptives. This strike lasted two weeks before the government quickly passed a law financing the costs of contraceptives with a tax on chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco,

In 2002 and 2004 Marcella Rousseau, wife of the Prince of Darren, led strikes against prohibiting women from going on Le Trajet (Les Hommes), and admittance of women to military schools. She has also been a big supporter of Pastor Wilhemena Baxter. This has been a great embarrassment to Reny Rousseau as he had been elected on a stand of conservative libertarianism. However Marcella's leadership in the strikes has increased the support of Reny Rousseau's among women during election time. As Marona Bella Nicosia stated 'when you elect Rene we get Marcellla.'

There is a strike planned for May to protest the criminalization of abortion. Marcella Rousseau has indicated that she will support the strike. Other supporters include all the women OB/GYNS in the country, Martina Murella, the wife of General Murella (the highest ranking military leader) and most of the co-eds at the University of Darren. This law is expected to be repealed by May 8th.

After strikes are over, many couples celebrate with an ápres la grève party for two (or sometimes more). Sales of wine, condoms and massage oil increase the last day of the strike. Trader's Joe's has named one of their Zinfandels Ápres la Grève in honor of these days.