Najat Vallaud-Belkacem

Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, born on October 4, 1977 in Morocco, is a French politician and member of the National bureau of the French Socialist party. On May 16, 2012, she was appointed Minister for Women’s Rights and Government Spokesperson.

She was Ségolène Royal’s spokesperson during her 2007 presidential campaign, and again in March 2009 in preparation of the 2011 Socialist presidential primary. On November 16, 2011, François Hollande, then the Socialist candidate for the 2012 presidential election, appointed her spokesperson for his campaign.  Since 2008, she has been a member of the General Council of the Rhône region and city Council member of the city of Lyons where she held various municipal appointments. Her previous positions included teaching at Sciences po Paris and Law counselling.

Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem studied Law and graduated from one of France’s most prestigious universities, Sciences Po Paris.

Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem is the author of Raison de plus (Fayard, 2012); Réagissez ! Répondre au FN de A à Z (Gawsewitch, 2011) and Pluralité visible et égalités des opportunités (Fondation Jean Jaurès, 2010).

Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, October 2013