HRC57 - Panel discussion on the implementation of States’ obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members

PRINT

HRC57 - Panel discussion on the implementation of States' obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members

25.09.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

57^th Session

Panel discussion on the implementation of States' obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members

25 September

EU Statement

The EU guarantees rights that make it easier for individuals to choose if, when, and how they want to have a family, and what they want that family to look like.

Through the Work-Life Balance Directive, the EU ensures that everyone has the right to parental, paternity, and careers' leave, enabling individuals to balance family and work. Notably women have at least 14 weeks of maternity leave, with protection from dismissal and the right to return to the same or equivalent job and fathers or, where and insofar as recognised by national law, equivalent second parents, have at least 10 working days of leave.

Furthermore, the EU's Child Guarantee, creating access to affordable child care, is a critical tool in addressing gender inequality. By ensuring access to affordable child care, the Child Guarantee allows both parents, especially women, to remain active in the workforce. This helps women maintain economic autonomy, career advancement, and higher pension contributions.

In line with the European Convention of Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the EU prohibits any form of discrimination of any individual. Both the Convention and the Charter enshrine, for everyone, the right to respect for private and family life. By upholding these rights, the EU promotes an inclusive, safe and supportive environment for all families, ensuring that every individual has the right to respect for their private and family life. All families, and all individuals within families, as well as those who may have no family at all, must enjoy equal protection of their human rights.

Distinguished Panel,

What can be done to shift societal expectations around family structures, gender roles and caregiving, so that parents or caregivers are equally encouraged and supported in taking on caregiving roles, ultimately reducing the economic and career impact, especially on women?