There is no city or country in the world where women and girls live free of the fear of violence. No leader can claim: this is not happening in my backyard.

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

All boys and girls should have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education, no matter what part of the country they live in and irrespective of whether their parents are rich or poor. It is the state's duty to make sufficient money available for the establishment of good public schools. A well-educated youth is crucial so that Chile can continue to grow economically.

One of the factors a country's economy depends on is human capital. If you don't provide women with adequate access to healthcare, education and employment, you lose at least half of your potential. So, gender equality and women's empowerment bring huge economic benefits.

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

In today's interdependent world, a threat to one becomes a menace to all. And no state can defeat these challenges and threats alone.

As women politicians, we talk about the most difficult themes of state security, foreign relations and development models, then ask, 'How do you make it work with your husband?' The interesting thing is that these women - most of them - don't lose the perspective that the focus is not the position but the job at hand.