Nicole Péry
Nicole Péry (born 15 May 1943) is a French politician who served as Secretary of State for Women's Rights and Professional Training from 1998 to 2002 under Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. A member of the Socialist Party (PS), she is a professor of literature by occupation. Péry served as Deputy Mayor of Ciboure from 1977 to 1983, when she became leader of the municipal opposition in Bayonne. She entered the European Parliament in 1981 and the National Assembly in 1997, after she stood as a candidate in the 5th constituency of Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Péry was named special  assistant to the Prime Minister for regional languages and cultures in October 1997 before her appointment as a Secretary of State to the Minister of Employment and Solidarity. Career highlights. In November 1998, the Government of France reaffirmed its political intent with regards to women's rights by appointing Péry as Secretary of State for Women's Rights and Vocational Training. At that time the Department of Women’s Rights of the Ministry of Employment and Solidarity was the main "ad hoc" administrative body responsible for monitoring gender equality and anti-discrimination measures. In a speech at Beijing + 5 , in New York City on 5 June 2000, she affirmed France's position as an egalitarian nation. In 2001 she criticised a Benetton advertisement for its portrayal of women's bodies. She was also critical of other advertising campaigns such as Yves Saint Laurent in 2001: "For several years, and with increasing frequency over the past months, advertising has presented images of women which many judge humiliating and degrading" she stated.