18.02.24
UN New York, CSocD62 - The title of the resolution, “Promoting care and support systems for social development”, makes it clear that Care and Support are directly linked to the three core themes of social development, namely: poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social integration. While these three central themes are particularly relevant for women, especially mothers, the resolution shifts the issue beyond gender equality.
The resolution reminds Member States that it is their responsibility to “foster a care society in which all receive the care they need, promoting their rights and well-being, based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination, access to basic social services and promotion of the active participation of every member of society as well as a collective responsibility, involving individuals, families, communities, States and the private sector” – something we at MMM have repeatedly called for in various UN fora.
Conversely, the resolution also “recognises that both paid and unpaid care and support work benefits societies, economies, families and individuals alike” – yet one more key point we have consistently raised in our advocacy: investing in support for mothers and other caregivers benefits everyone.
As an active member of the advocacy group of the NGO Committee on Social Development, MMM was able to provide input in the course of the negotiations. We are in particular delighted that our suggestion to use agreed language from the October 2023 Human Rights Council resolution to add a paragraph on parents was taken up. The new Care resolution acknowledges that “States should render appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities […|”, noting that “children’s development depends on the existence of, and access to, a set of adequate family-oriented, community and State care policies”.
We are also gratified that the new resolution specifically refers to “working mothers” when talking about the need to adopt measures to reduce, redistribute and value unpaid care and domestic work. The use of the word ‘mother’ is unfortunately very rare in the UN context, so this was a hugely welcome addition and one that we wholeheartedly endorse.
Like the other two resolutions on Care which were adopted by the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council in 2023, this new resolution is the result of an initiative led by countries of the Latin America region (namely Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Paraguay), with other supporting Member States from other regions joining in the course of the negotiations.
The full text of the draft resolution (E/CN.5/2024/L.5), which was adopted by consensus during the closing session of the 62nd session of the UN Commission on Social Development is available on the Commission’s website in the six UN languages.
11.10.23
UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - Entitled ‘Centrality of care and support from a human rights perspective’, this landmark resolution was presented by the governments of Argentina, Iceland, Mexico
20.06.23
It was by all accounts, a remarkable gathering of global peacemakers. They came from all over the world to lend their voice and support to the message of the Conference:
09.10.23
In June this year, the European Union (EU) Commission announced a new high-priority initiative to address the mental health of all Europeans.
20.04.24
In a timely joint statement, we at Make mothers Matter, along with 16 European NGOs, have urged EU policymakers to prioritise long-term care in the upcoming 2024-2029 legislature. This call comes as the Belgian
26.03.24
UN Geneva - As the 55th session of the Human Rights council wraps up, here is an overview of our contributions to the discussions that took place on a wide range of topics. Our aim with all our interventions wa
24.03.24
UN New York, CSW68 - These wise words, uttered by of one of the speakers at our event, Let's change the narrative: invest in mothers, sums up the challenges faced by mothers. Organised online on the margins of
11.03.24
UN New York, CSW68 - Join us for a discussion on changing the narrative in support of mothers - an online parallel event to the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women
01.03.24
MMM as founding member, is pleased to announce the launch of Be Family®, a bold and new movement that aims to ensure companies and organisations act inclusively and responsibly towards families and people with
01.03.24
UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - - Co-organised with a group of Child Rights organisations, we invite you to join us for this hybrid event which will take place around the HRC's annual day of the rights of the