The International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) played a pivotal role at the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), engaging in high-level discussions and collaborations to promote family-centered policies worldwide.
Panel Participation on Women’s Mental Health
As part of its commitment to advancing policies that support families, IFFD participated in a side event organized by the Permanent Mission of Hungary, titled “Supporting the Mental Health of All Women and Girls.” Held at the UN Headquarters on March 11, the panel brought together government officials, experts, and civil society representatives to discuss the challenges women and girls face in accessing mental health support.
José Alejandro Vázquez (Alex), IFFD’s Director of International Relations, joined esteemed panelists, including ministers from Hungary and Serbia, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO). His intervention highlighted the crucial role of families in ensuring mental well-being and emphasized the importance of policies that recognize and support unpaid care work, work-family balance, and intergenerational solidarity.
Engaging with Global Leaders on Family and Women’s Issues
Throughout the CSW69 sessions, IFFD representatives met with several Ministers for Family and Women from across the world. These discussions focused on best practices in parenting support, youth transitions, and the recognition of unpaid care work. IFFD reaffirmed its commitment to providing data-driven advocacy and evidence-based policy recommendations to help governments implement sustainable family policies.
Strengthening Ties with Civil Society Organizations
Recognizing the power of collaborative advocacy, IFFD actively engaged with civil society organizations (CSOs) working on family issues. These interactions fostered dialogue on shared challenges and strategies for advancing the role of the family as a key social agent for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By uniting with like-minded organizations, IFFD continues to strengthen a global movement for family-centered policies.
Building up on the Recognition and Value of Unpaid Care
IFFD also took part in key meetings of the Global Alliance for Care, an initiative spearheaded by Spain, Mexico, and Chile to promote policies that support caregivers and recognize the social and economic value of care work. These discussions reinforced the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation in designing policies that enable work-family balance and gender equality in caregiving responsibilities.
As CSW69 concludes, IFFD remains dedicated to advocating for family-oriented policies at the international level. By engaging with governments, civil society, and global alliances, the organization continues to champion the family as an essential pillar for social development and sustainable progress.
