A midwife for 27 years, Ms. Oyarzo Torres has dedicated herself to primary health care (PHC) and UHC through her work with communities across Latin and Central America, advocating for sexual and reproductive health rights and championing gender equality. As a teacher, educationalist, and advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, Ms. Oyarzo Torres has trained thousands of midwives and developed curricula that focus on centering communities and working in low-resource settings. She has also paved the way for midwifery regulation in Latin America. As the President of the Association of Midwives of Chile, Ms. Oyarzo Torres advocated to defend women’s right to access legal abortion in three circumstances (pregnancy by rape, foetal infeasibility, and risk to mother’s life), and contributed to policy and legislation changes in Mexico for midwifery regulation. She believes that being a midwife is the highest honor, as she can accompany other women during an incredible life experience. Ms. Oyarzo Torres stays true to her passion: empowering women to make their own choices about their bodies and their lives.

“My personal reward from being a midwife is seeing the smiles of women when they have made their own decisions, hearing their dreams, and holding their trust.”