Tanya Naville's advocacy for women in climbing

Tanya Naville is a passionate advocate for women in mountain climbing, working to promote gender equality in the field. She founded the "Femmes en Montagne" festival to increase the visibility of women in the mountain world.

Balancing personal and professional life

Naville, a mother of two, has spoken about the challenges of balancing her personal and professional life. She described the pursuit of her ambitions as "a Russian roulette with a well-loaded cylinder," highlighting the risks involved.

Naville's early life and career

Naville grew up in Roche-sur-Foron (Haute-Savoie) in 1986, where the mountains and sports were significant in her youth. She studied environmental sciences and later environmental policies and governance at the European level. Her career began in environmental fields before she transitioned into communication and events.

Awareness of gender issues in the mountain world

Originally, gender issues were not a primary concern for Naville, but over time, she became increasingly aware of the societal biases in the mountain world. She notes that the environment is often governed by masculine codes, which create barriers for women both in entering the practice and in achieving autonomy.

Creation of the "On n’est pas que des collants" association

In 2015, Naville created the blog "On n’est pas que des collants," which later evolved into the association of the same name in 2017. Her goal was to publicize female practice in mountain climbing and promote more mixed practices, as she noticed a lack of female role models.

Launch of the "Femmes en Montagne" film festival

To further her mission, Naville launched the "Femmes en Montagne" film festival. In 2019, women represented 12% of the people on screen at mountain festivals, a number that has since increased.

Challenging stereotypes in alpinism

Naville challenges the notion that alpinism driven by women is inherently gentle and opposed to the masculine pursuit of performance. She argues that everyone engages in climbing according to their temperament and that confining roles based on gender is restrictive.

Focus on quality and visibility

The "Femmes en Montagne" festival continues to give visibility to women in the mountains and challenge preconceived ideas. However, Naville remains committed to the quality of the films shown, ensuring that the festival maintains high standards.