My top priority for 2012 will be to make a renewed push for women's economic empowerment and political participation.

By including women in decision-making, city governments will be in a better position to fulfill their responsibility to ensure the safety of their residents, especially women and girls.

You all want to know what is my dream? Very simple. To walk along the beach, holding the hand of my lover.

Gender equality must become a lived reality.

Violence ravaged my life. I was a victim of hatred, and I have dedicated my life to reversing that hatred.

Gender equality will only be reached if we are able to empower women.

Having experienced personally and through my family the tragedy of Chile is something always present in my memory. I do not want events of that nature ever to happen again, and I have dedicated an important part of my life to ensuring that and to the reunion of all Chileans.