Chile to create new ministry to spur gender equality

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet attends an International Women's Day official celebration in Santiago, March 8, 2015. Bachelet announced the creation of the Ministry for Women and Gender Equity. [Photo/Agencies]

SANTIAGO - Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced Sunday to create the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality.

"We are getting our act together to ensure that women today, and specially girls today, will not have to wait a lifetime to live in a fairer world," Bachelet told a ceremony on International Women's Day.

"We give a decisive step towards achieving gender equality," said Bachelet.

The new ministry will replace the National Women's Service. It is expected to be fully operational in March 2016.

"Gender equality helps improve the life of the whole family. This is particularly evident when a woman contributes to family income or especially when she is the provider," Bachelet said.