Youth Blog

March 22, 2024 (Campaign Life Coalition) – When the UN’s NGO Committee on the Status of Women changed rules and procedures a couple of years ago that effectively barred pro-life and pro-family NGOs like Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) from hosting parallel events during the annual Commission on the Status of Women in New York, we did not give up. In response to this blatant form of censorshop and discrimination, a coalition of pro-life-and-family groups organized an alternative forum for NGO's to host parallel events without being forced to sign a pro-abortion, pro-LGBT attestation. The two-day conference, which took place this year on March 13-14, was called The Conference on the State of Women and Family (CSWF). With a focus on life and family perspectives, the CSWF emphasizes the importance of empowering women by recognizing and strengthening the family. The two-day forum hosted a dozen parallel events organized by NGO's from around the world. 

Attending this year’s CSWF were an impressive array of leaders from the pro-life-and-family movement.

Campaign Life Coalition Youth had the privilage of being co-hosts for an event titled "Supporting Women and Girls During Unplanned Pregnancies," organized by the International Youth Coalition, a Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam) program. This event showcased the remarkable efforts of speakers who are making significant strides in assisting women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Emily Berning, founder of Let Them Live, shared a powerful narrative illustrating the organization's mission to provide financial support to women considering abortion. She emphasized that 73% of women in the United States opt for abortion due to financial strain. Let Them Live steps in to bridge this gap by offering direct financial assistance, ensuring that women have the means to choose life. Emily's personal story of helping a pregnant woman living in dire circumstances highlighted the tangible impact of their work. Let Them Live's comprehensive approach includes not only financial aid but also educational programs, counseling, and community support, addressing the root causes of unplanned pregnancies. The organization has helped almost 1000 mothers.

Abby Johnson, CEO and founder of And Then There Were None and Pro Love Ministries, shared her journey from working as a director at Planned Parenthood to becoming a staunch advocate for life. She shed light on the exploitative practices within Planned Parenthood, revealing their true agenda of targeting minority populations and perpetuating the abortion industry for profit. Abby's organizations focus on providing holistic support to women, including financial assistance, counseling, educational scholarships, and access to legal aid. The Love Beyond Borders initiative exemplifies their commitment to humanitarian aid, supporting women and families in crisis situations, regardless of political affiliations.

Both Berning and Johnson emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying issues contributing to unplanned pregnancies and offering compassionate, non-judgmental support to women in need. Their organizations prioritize transformational assistance over transactional aid, aiming to empower women to make life-affirming choices and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Through their dedication and innovative approaches, both women are instrumental in making abortion unthinkable and fostering a culture of life and support for all women.

CLC Youth Coordinator, Maeve Roche, also gave a statement at the event emphasizing the importance of supporting pregnant women and protecting the natural family. She highlighted the role of Crisis Pregnancy Centres in providing essential resources and support and expressed concerns over the Canadian government's condemnation of these life-affirming centres, threatening their charitable status. She argued that such actions limit options for women in crisis pregnancies and advocated for comprehensive maternal healthcare and support systems instead of abortion. "Without these organizations, women in crisis would have fewer options and fewer supports for them in their pregnancy experience. In fact, most would feel they have only one choice: abortion. And one choice means no choice at all,” she said.

One of the side events at CSWF, titled "Development Corrupted: Gender Ideology at Odds with Empowerment for Women and Girls," which was organized by the Heritage Foundation, featured speakers who critically examined the concept of gender ideology and its implications, particularly concerning women and girls. The speakers raised concerns about the distortion of biological realities and the potential harms of “gender-affirming care” practices.

Dr. Jay W. Richards from the Heritage Foundation delved into the historical evolution of the terms "sex" and "gender," highlighting how gender ideology has redefined these terms and shifted the focus from biological differences to subjective “gender identity.” He emphasized that this ideological framework denies the biological basis of sex and replaces it with concepts like “gender identity,” which are divorced from physical realities. Dr. Richards also discussed educational materials, such as the “Gender Bread Person” and the “Gender Unicorn,” used to promote these ideas, illustrating the widespread influence of gender ideology in various institutions.

Dr. Miriam Grossman, an advocate for evidence-based medical care, criticized “gender-affirming care” practices, particularly their impact on young girls. She highlighted the risks and consequences associated with interventions like breast binding and puberty blockers, emphasizing the lack of scientific evidence supporting their safety and efficacy. Dr. Grossman argued that these interventions can have long-term physical and psychological effects, including infertility and irreversible changes to the body. She also raised concerns about the ethical implications of promoting such interventions to minors.

Dr. Seyoum Antonios from Family Watch International discussed the issue of individuals falsely claiming transgender identity to gain advantages in women's sports, scholarships, and grants. He highlighted the importance of protecting the integrity of women's spaces and opportunities while ensuring fair treatment for all individuals. For a more detailed report on this event, click here.

On the final day of CSWF, Campaign Life Coalition hosted a special screening of the independent documentary Roe Canada: The True North in a Post-Roe World produced and directed by Canadian film maker Kevin Dunn. The film also features CLC's very own Josie Luetke and Ruth Robert as the lead investigators. Following the screening, Dunn moderated a panel discussion with Josie and Ruth, where both pro-life activists encouraged attendees to build on the momentum of the overturning of Roe, and work towards enshrining legal protection for children before birth in their own countries.

Photo: CLC's Maeve Roche speaking during parallel event, CSWF,  New York. Credit: Brad Wixom | Panel discussion feat. Josie Luetke, Ruth Robert, and Kevin Dunn, CSWF, New York. Credit Brad Wixom