Michelle Bachelet: Reforming with Courage, Leading with Conviction

Michelle Bachelet made history twice, first as Chile’s first woman president, and later as one of the world’s most influential advocates for gender equality. A pediatrician and former political exile under Pinochet’s dictatorship, Bachelet brought a deep understanding of resilience, justice, and social equity to her leadership.

During her two terms as president (2006–2010 and 2014–2018), she pushed through bold, historic reforms that many had considered politically impossible.

In 2015, under her leadership, Chile legalized same-sex civil unions. It was a landmark moment in Latin America, signaling growing recognition of LGBTQ+ rights in a region where such issues had long been taboo.

Then, in 2017, she led efforts to end Chile’s total abortion ban, one of the most restrictive in the world. For decades, abortion had been criminalized under all circumstances, even in cases of rape, incest, or risk to the mother's life. Bachelet’s reform allowed legal abortion in precisely those situations. It was a critical breakthrough in a country shaped by deep-rooted conservatism and Catholic influence.

After leaving office, Bachelet became the first Executive Director of UN Women, where she helped shape the global gender equality agenda. Later, as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, she continued to push for dignity, justice, and inclusion on the world stage.

Bachelet’s leadership proved that compassion and conviction can coexist with political strength, and that structural change often requires leaders willing to stand at the intersection of resistance and progress.

What happens when women lead?

In Chile, barriers were broken, rights were expanded, and entire generations were empowered to live with greater freedom and dignity.