Chile presented with Int'l Protect Life Award by ADF, pro-life organizations at U.N.

Chile boasts lowest maternal mortality rate in Latin America due to vigorous efforts to help mothers, protect preborn children

NEW YORK — The people of the Republic of Chile were awarded Friday with the International Protect Life Award at the 2011 Meeting of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City.

The Alliance Defense Fund, along with more than 30 other non-government organizations active with the International Protect Life Committee of the United Nations, honored Chile for its bold constitutional protections of mothers and their preborn children as well as its corresponding efforts that contribute to the nation’s lowest maternal mortality rate in Latin America.

“Every innocent life deserves to be protected, and every pregnant mother should receive the help she needs to care for that life,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Piero Tozzi.  “We couldn’t be more pleased to present this honor to the people of Chile for their painstaking and diligent efforts to help pregnant women and protect their preborn children. Those efforts are based on constitutional protections that serve as a model to the rest of the world.”

Two efforts instituted by the government of Chile have been instrumental in helping the nation achieve and maintain the lowest maternal mortality rate in all of Latin America. The new “Comprometidos por la Vida” (Committed to Life) program, which President Sebastián Piñera Echenique announced during his May 21, 2010 Message to the Nation, offers assistance to pregnant women in difficult and needy circumstances so that they can carry their babies to term.

Another effort, “Chile Crece Contigo” (Chile Grows with You), implemented during former President Michelle Bachelet’s administration and continued by Piñera, advocates the well-being and protection of young children and assists parents in their responsibilities to nurture them. It promotes awareness that a preborn child is a member of the family in need of care and protection.

The International Protect Life Committee communicated to President Piñera that his nation is being recognized and celebrated for its bold efforts, laws, and achievements that work to protect women’s health and affirm life. 

• Pronunciation guide: Piero Tozzi (TOTE’-see)