Michèle Vianès (born 1946) is a French activist for gender equality, women's rights and for secularism. She is the co-founder and president of the Regards de Femmes non-governmental organization established in 1998 that advocates for equality between women and men and campaigns against violence against women.
Biography She was born in Tunisia in 1946, before moving to France where she studied, and then becomes a teacher between 1970 and 2001 in Lyon.
During the late 1970s, she participated in work undertaken within the Fédération de l'Éducation nationale concerning gender stereotypes in school textbooks and children's literature.
She was also a municipal councilor of Caluire-et-Cuire from 2001 to 2014 and deputy from 2007 to 2009.
Career In 1998, she co-founded with two other people the non-profit organisation Regards de Femmes, an NGO that holds consultative status with the United Nations and as an INGO by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Initially, Regards de Femmes was a Lyon-based organization that later expanded its activities nationally and internationally. The association campaigns for political and professional parity, opposes violence against women, and promotes secularism and equality between women and men.
She advocates for universal human rights for women and girls and participating in international events such as the Commission of Status of Women (CSW) at the UN in New York.
Additionally, she organizes events, and conducts training to become electoral candidates in France and in various African countries.
She became a member of the High Council for Equality between Women and Men on the 23 June 2025.
Political activities Vianès served as a municipal councillor responsible for equality issues in Caluire-et-Cuire, in the Lyon metropolitan area, between 2001 and 2014.
She has also participated in discussions organized by the French Senate concerning feminist diplomacy and women's rights.
International advocacy Vianès has represented Regards de Femmes within francophone and international women's organizations.
She has been involved in initiatives relating to civil registration, legal identity, and women's rights within the framework of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
She also serves as the representative for Western Europe within the Réseau francophone pour l'égalité femmes-hommes.
Publications
Vianès has authored and contributed to several books and essays on feminism and secularism. Her works include:
Un voile sur la République (2004) L'empreinte Beauvoir (2005) La République face aux communautarismes (2006)
Distinctions +DistinctionRibbon barHonourOfficial PromotionOfficial DecernationKnight of the Legion of Honour, France1 January 20099 October 2009 - Fadela Amara, French secretary of StateOfficer of the Legion of Honour, France14 July 202423 February 2025 - Aurore Bergé, French minister
Media appearances Vianès has regularly participated in radio and media discussions concerning women's rights and gender equality. She hosts the programme Regards de Femmes on Sud Radio.
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References