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Since the start of the Ni Una Menos movement in 2015, feminist activism has spread across Latin America. Initially, the movement focused on , but its aims quickly expanded, with gender parity as one of its main goals. That is not a simple challenge in a region where hold only 29 percent of presidential cabinet positions.

In Chile, however, that might be changing.

President-elect Gabriel Boric鈥檚 cabinet picks sent a clear signal that gender parity is becoming the norm. His cabinet, Chile鈥檚 most diverse and youthful since the return of democracy in 1990, will consist of 14 women among 24 ministerial posts. Earlier, Chile had committed to gender parity at the assembly that is rewriting the country鈥檚 constitution, and the assembly鈥檚 first two leaders have been women.

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LAP

Chile鈥檚 next cabinet will not only be notable for the number of women, but also the positions they will hold.

The post of foreign minister, among the most influential cabinet jobs, goes to Antonia Urrejola, former president of the Organization of American States鈥檚 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. , whose grandfather Salvador Allende was ousted in a military coup d鈥櫭﹖at in 1973, will oversee the formerly male-dominated Ministry of Defense. Finally, leading Chile鈥檚 ambitious response to the climate crisis will be , an internationally recognized climate scientist and lead author of the latest comprehensive report.

Boric selected , governor of Chile鈥檚 Central Bank, as finance minister. But a woman, former Antofagasta Mayor , will oversee Chile鈥檚 vast mining sector, which accounted for 12.5 percent of GDP and nearly half of exports in 2020.