Chile's incoming far-right president, José Antonio Kast, appointed Judith Marín, a vocal opponent of abortion, as the country's new women and gender equality minister on Tuesday in Santiago. Marín, 30, has publicly expressed her support for life from conception to natural death and has decried bills to decriminalize abortion.
Marín's appointment has sparked concern among women's rights advocates in Chile, given her staunch opposition to abortion rights. Her past actions include being ejected from Chile's senate by police for shouting "return to the Lord" during a vote to decriminalize abortion under restricted circumstances. She is an evangelical former student church group president who belonged to the Eagles of Jesus, a far-right Christian group that recruits at universities across the country.
The selection of Marín comes at a time when women globally are fighting for greater reproductive rights and gender equality. In Chile, the issue of abortion has been a contentious one, with the country only recently legalizing abortion in limited cases: when a woman's life is in danger, when a fetus is unviable, or in cases of rape. Advocates have been pushing for broader access to abortion services.
Kast's decision reflects a conservative stance on social issues, a key platform of his presidential campaign. His administration's approach to women's rights and gender equality will be closely watched, particularly in light of the global movement towards greater inclusivity and empowerment for women. The appointment raises questions about the future direction of policies related to women's health, reproductive rights, and gender equality initiatives in Chile under the new administration.
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