Michelle Bachelet is one of the world’s most important woman leaders. She is the Executive Director of UN Women. This United Nations organization works to improve the lives of women around the world.
A former pediatrician, Bachelet served as the first female president of Chile, a country in South America. As president, she created many programs for women and children, including free child-care centers. Before becoming president in 2006, Bachelet served as Chile’s Minister of Defense and Minister of Health. She worked to improve conditions for women in Chile’s military. She had also worked to improve health care facilities so that families could get better and faster medical care.
UN Women has only about half of the money it needs to carry out its goals, but Bachelet is not discouraged. She spends part of her time visiting donors and part of her time visiting women in developing countries. A developing country is one that often lacks modern conveniences, such as good housing, roads, schools, and hospitals.
Currently, UN Women is working with women in Egypt to help make sure they have important roles in the country’s new government. Bachelet also encourages governments in countries that have equal pay laws to enforce them. In many of those countries, women are still paid about one-third less than men.
Bachelet’s job with UN Women will end in 2013. Many believe she will again run for president of Chile. Meanwhile, Bachelet continues to work toward equal rights for women. She believes women should have equal access to health care, education, culture, and even sports.
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