SANTIAGO – Chilean doctor Veronique Thouvenot made the “BBC 100 Women 2019” list, published Oct. 16. Thouvenot, who works in new technologies to help pregnant women, takes her place on the list of “inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019.”
The Chilean doctor and scientist Veronique Thouvenot made the list that each year highlights the work of women around the world for their contribution to different areas. This year, the categories were earth, knowledge, leadership, creativity, sport, and identity.
Each woman was asked, “What would the future look like if it were driven by women?” To which, Thouvenot answered, “Help save women’s lives with Zero Mothers Die!”, referring to her initiative to save pregnant women through technology.
The list is out! 🎉 Meet our 100 most inspirational and innovative women of 2019, who are helping us imagine a female-led future.💪 #100women https://t.co/sQdXLkeOLm
— BBC 100 Women (@BBC100women) October 16, 2019
A Chilean Leader for Women
Thouvenot was born in Concepción, Chile, but later moved to Sweden to continue her career. She is a doctor, scientist, and the co-founder and scientific director of Fundación Millenia2025, which creates initiatives to boost equality and women’s empowerment.
The foundation consults with the United Nations, and, among other things, Thouvenot developed the “Zero Mothers Die” initiative that provides expectant mothers mobile phones and service for better access to information about their pregnancies.
The BBC “100 Women” list was started in 2013 to highlight the influence of women from around the world in building a better future. Thanks to her work, Thouvenot made the list’s knowledge category.
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Women like climate change activist Greta Thunberg, feminist activist Yumi Ishikawa, and footballer Megan Rapinoe also earned spots on the list in other categories.
Thouvenot is also joined on the list by 10 other Latin American women, a group that spans four categories and brings diverse messages of activism and hope for the future.
“The ideal future is the one in which we find gender equality, one in which we have the same opportunities and rights as men,” said Yalitza Aparicio, indigenous Mexican actress and Oscar nominee for her role in the movie “Roma.”
Francia Márquez, Ecuadorian activist who led protests against illegal mining, encouraged people about environmental conscience. “We are not owners of land, we are part of it, and so we need to take care of it just as it has taken care of us,” she said, referring to the need for unity and solidarity among women in her nation.
Brazil’s youngest congresswoman Tabata Amaral expressed the hope that “the next generation of children are born not knowing the limits to their dreams.”
Camila Huecho is a journalism student at Universidad de La Frontera in Temuco, currently interning at Chile Today. As a freelance illustrator and Fellow at the Melton Foundation, she works to bring information and cultures together through communications and art.