Youth Blog

The side event at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, titled "OIC Celebration of the International Year of the Family 2024: Empowering Families for Sustainable Future: Best Practices in Upholding Women's and Girls' Human Rights," organized by OIC and the Government of Egypt emphasized the importance of the traditional family structure, comprising a mother and a father, in eradicating poverty and protecting children. Both Egypt and many of the OIC members states also partake in the Group of the Friends of the Family Coalition at the United Nations which reaffirms ‘that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.’

Speakers highlighted various policies and initiatives aimed at supporting families, such as access to quality childcare, affordable healthcare, educational opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and parental leave programs. They emphasized the role of families in breaking the cycle of poverty and investing in the future of children.

Acknowledging the International Year of the Family, speakers reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening families as fundamental for sustainable development. They emphasized that families serve as the primary incubator of values, where individuals learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to society.

In her remarks, Mrs. Sharon Slater, President of Family Watch International, USA, stated that "the family is the creator, nurturer, and first educator of children who are the greatest assets and the future human capital of every nation." She also emphasized that "having a family with a father present, is a protective factor against adolescent girls being sexually active or abused. From the United States to Kenya, we know that teenage girls without a father in the home are almost two times more likely to end up pregnant. Good fathers provide their daughters with affection, attention, and guidance."

Ms. Susanne Mikhail, Regional Office Director for Arab States, UN Women, stated that "76% of men wish to spend more time with children and want to extend paternity leave." At the UN, people often employ the term "unpaid labor" to describe women's caregiving responsibilities and household chores, attempting to advocate for a redistribution of these tasks, with men taking more time off work while women continue to work. Yet, this perspective neglects the profound maternal instincts and physical demands experienced by women, particularly in breastfeeding. It is preposterous to suggest that returning to work immediately after childbirth is feasible or desirable for many women, as they are often the primary caregivers and providers of breast milk for their newborns. While some women may opt not to breastfeed or face circumstances that prevent it, the majority initiate breastfeeding, and its continuation significantly declines when women return to work. In countries like Hungary, both maternity leave for mothers and paternity leave for fathers are recognized. Women can take maternity leave while men are entitled to 10 days of paternity leave simultaneously, acknowledging the importance of nurturing and bonding with newborns during their crucial early stages of development. Therefore, it is essential to recognize and respect the biological and emotional realities that influence caregiving roles within families, rather than diminishing them as mere "unpaid labor."

Additionally, Mrs. Sharon Slater emphasized that "countries with more married-parent families enjoy higher levels of economic growth." She pointed out that "undoubtedly, one reason growth is higher in countries with strong families is that children do better in families. In stable families, in intact families, men also tend to work harder, smarter, and more successfully when they are married." This observation underscores the integral role played by both men and women within families, where shared responsibilities contribute not only to familial well-being but also to broader economic growth and prosperity.

The event called for global commitment to building strong and resilient families as the foundation for a sustainable future. It emphasized the protection of family rights, including the rights of parents to guide the education of their children