Presidential delegate Julio Anativia disclosed that Camila Contreras, the seremi for Women and Gender Equity in Chile's Biobío Region, remains in office on medical leave due to pregnancy, halting Antaris Varela's assumption of the role chosen by José Antonio Kast's government. The former seremi, appointed in 2024 by Gabriel Boric, submitted a pregnancy certificate after resigning. Varela will join as staff and subrogate as needed.
On March 30, the government announced Antaris Varela as the new seremi for Women and Gender Equity in Chile's Biobío Region. However, presidential delegate Julio Anativia stated that Camila Contreras remains the titleholder on maternity medical leave. "Something we will respect," Anativia emphasized, noting Contreras's intent to use her full postnatal period.
Daniela Castro, undersecretary of the Ministry of Women, confirmed Contreras has full legal protections for her pregnancy. "Antaris Varela will provide all support as backup staff with subrogation duties," Castro added. Varela, a biochemist from Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, has already represented the role in activities during subrogancies.
Contreras, a history and geography academic from Universidad de Concepción, was appointed in March 2024 by Gabriel Boric's administration. The case echoes similar ones, such as in Atacama where the prior seremi is on cancer leave without a replacement, and Priscila Carrasco at SernamEG, whose resignation was halted due to cancer treatment.
