News

March 30, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A group of 37 pro-life organizations active at the United Nations presented an award to Chilean President Sebastián Piñera Echenique last Saturday in an event that was covered by the country’s television networks and other major media.

Dan Zeidler, coordinator of the International Committee for the Protection of Life, praised the pro-life policies of the Chilean government as he handed the award to Piñera, pointing out that the country’s prohibition of all surgical abortions is accompanied by the lowest maternal mortality rate in Latin America.

“We celebrate that more Chilean women have given birth more safely than ever,” Zeidler said. “Chile is a good example for other countries of the world that are trying to reduce their maternal mortality to reach the Millennium Development Goals of the UNO (United Nations Organization).”

The International Protect Life Award was given to Piñera not only for his country’s complete prohibition of the killing of unborn children, but also because his government has maintained policies that care for women facing difficult pregnancies and promote the value of human life in television campaigns.

The government’s “Committed to Life” program offers assistance to women who face financial challenges and other problems during their pregnancies. The “Chile Grows with You” advertizing campaign features a pregnant woman with the slogan, “My (unborn) child hears and experiences the world just as I do. We’re connected!” The ad says: “An invitation from the government to protect children.”