President Michelle Bachelet of Chile will carry the purple flag on her way out of the presidency.
The United Nations Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM, announced Feb. 3 that Bachelet will serve as a special advocate for Haitian women now suffering from the effects of the Jan. 12 killer quake.
“President Michelle Bachelet is set to play a leading role in advocating with donors and other organizations involved in Haiti’s relief efforts in a bid to include the views and needs of women in shaping a recovery strategy for the nation,” the U.N. said.
Long known for advocating women’s rights, Bachelet is set to visit women’s organizations in Haiti on Feb. 21.
UNIFEM noted that natural disasters “increase women’s vulnerability to violence, abuse and sexual exploitation.”
