Female Supremacy Articles - Page 19

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In a country where the Roman Catholic Church wields great power, Ms. Bachelet is also openly agnostic, and when she took her oath of office she promised rather than swore to uphold the Chilean Constitution.

She also has promised a government that focuses on social equality and respect for human rights. Her immediate priorities, she indicated as a candidate, are a more just distribution of income and reform of the country's pension system, which is increasingly unpopular here.

But even before her inauguration at the Chilean Congress building in Valparaiso, Ms. Bachelet has already fulfilled another of her campaign promises: sexual equity in appointments to government posts. She has named a cabinet of 10 men and 10 women, and designated the governors of the country's 12 regions on the same basis.

On Wednesday, at ceremonies for International Women's Day, Ms. Bachelet stated that she intended to extend the principle to all official nominations.

"I've given clear instructions, and here I take advantage to do a commercial," she said. "Chile is going to be the first country that will have, in public sector decision making positions, total parity" between men and women.