Feminist Policy Making and Women Rights in Chile (2006-2010)

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Feminist Policy Making and Women Rights in Chile (2006-2010)
In 1990, Augusto Pinochet stepped down from power to relieve Chile from decades of military rule and authoritarianism. The Concertation coalition governments took over from 1990-2010, changing the phase of Chile's leadership in several ways. For two decades, the political-economic elites supported the social market economy and reviving the Chilean economy that had suffered a diverse collapse (Joignant 517). However, the 'Concertaciòn' coalition mentioned free-market policies. Furthermore, these governments brought capitalist modernization through improved education, better housing, roads, and infrastructure (Haas 199). However, the governments were faced with limitations that further hindered closing the social inequality gap. For instance, the existence of a superior political class has continued to suppress government advancements in capital modernization. Moreover, these individuals pressured the government with demands that led to social unrest and protests (Haas 200). These protests focused on policies that could lead to more access to education and social inequality.
In 2006, Michelle Bachelet was elected as the first female president and the Concertation coalition. Bachelet election meant that Chileans would end challenges that had reigned for decades. Furthermore, Bachelet brought a lot of hope to women and the women rights activists in Chile. She had promised improved foreign policies through partnerships and diplomacy. Moreover, she had promised to promote education and strengthen the economy in a significant way (Haas 206). However, the most important promise that Bachelet had made was to eliminate gender inequality by creating a balanced cabinet. Still, after ascension to power, she was faced with a difficult task of including an equal number of men and women in her cabinet (Stevenson 130). Chilean Women's movements had played a decisive role in resistance to Augusto's dictatorship. Being a member of the actions, Bachelet would do everything in her power to ensure women were well represented in her government. However, she managed to make half of her cabinet to be women.
During her leadership, Bachelet promoted gender equality in political representation by adopting legal quotas for women representation in Congress and political parties. Furthermore, she established a gender-se...