Pakistan, April 22 -- Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet reaffirmed her strong support for women's rights while campaigning to become the next leader of the United Nations, despite political pressure from lawmakers in the United States opposing her candidacy. Speaking during a public hearing in New York, she emphasized that advancing gender equality remains essential to global progress and must continue under the UN's leadership.

Bachelet, 74, told reporters she had read a letter signed by more than two dozen Republican lawmakers who urged Washington to veto her candidacy, accusing her of promoting what they described as an extreme abortion agenda. However, the former president insisted she would always stand by women and ensure ...