The UN secretary general on Tuesday named former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet to head a new UN super agency to step up the campaign to advance women's rights. UN Women will unite four existing UN bodies handling women's affairs into what Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said would be "one powerful, dynamic and effective entity."
Bachelet, a 58-year-old moderate socialist, left the Chilean presidency in March after four years as one of the most popular leaders in the country's history. Ban said Bachelet, who is also a trained doctor, brought "global stature" to the new post. "Ms Bachelet brings to this critical position a history of dynamic global leadership, highly honed political skills and uncommon ability to create consensus and focus among UN agencies and many partners in both the public and private sector.