Torture survivor becomes Chile’s first female president

VALPARAISO, Chile – A physician who survived torture and exile as a young woman became Chile’s first female president Saturday, adding to a wave of women politicians gaining powerful positions in Latin America.

Having won a January run-off election with 53.5 percent of the vote, Michelle Bachelet wasted no time building on her historic election Saturday. Soon after accepting her country’s presidential sash, she named a cabinet comprising equal numbers of men and women, a first in Chilean history.

Bachelet promised to make her government more accessible to those living in the 2,700-mile-long country’s remote regions who have felt neglected by leaders in the capital of Santiago. She also promised to make gender equality a top goal of her government.

“Chile has taken an enormous step in creating a country by everyone and for everyone,” Bachelet said after her inauguration in the rural city of Casablanca. “My commitment is we will work in every possible way without rest very close to all of you.”

The 54-year-old is South America’s first elected woman president who is not a presidential widow.

She is also one of several South American women currently enjoying political success.

In neighboring Argentina, first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner won an important Senate seat in October and is a rising national star. She attended Bachelet’s inauguration with her husband, President Nestor Kirchner.

Former congresswoman and presidential candidate Lourdes Flores in Peru leads polls running up to next month’s elections.

New Chilean planning minister, Clarisa Hardy, said Bachelet’s election was a landmark moment in the region.

“It’s a sign that we are going to see a just representation for all the actors and all the sectors of society,” she said.

The inauguration ceremony, held in Chile’s Congress building about 70 miles from the capital, drew leaders from around the hemisphere, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.