Conference Opens Discussions on International Family Policies

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Conference Opens Discussions on International Family Policies

In consultation with the Focal Point on Family at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the JWF Women’s Platform organized “International Family Conference III: International Family Policies” in Istanbul on November 29-30, 2014.

Family policies should always take into consideration the empowerment of women within the family, especially in their integration to the labor market.

Final declaration of the conference

The 3rd International Family Conference on International Family Policies was held at the Fatih College Congress Center as part of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF+20).

The conference concentrated on scientific, policy and practical issues related to legal aspects of family in different societies. Participants emphasized the need for families to be protected and empowered in light of universal values and basic human rights.

Primarily consisting of academicians, speakers from 13 different countries shared their experiences with the best practices of family-oriented policies. The keynote speech was delivered by Katarina Lindahl, Chair of Sweden’s UN Women National Committee, and another speaker was Diana Bryant AO, Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.

During the conference, participants were invited to wear an orange ribbon to raise awareness about the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. The ribbon is part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women, with the motto “Orange YOUR Neighborhood.” The initiative encourages people to mark the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence by organizing “Orange Events” in their own neighborhoods between November 25th and December 10th.

The conference was supported by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) from Spain, NittoKAI from Japan, Istituto Tevere from Italy, Kimse Yok Mu and MARKAFED from Turkey, Thailand Achievement Institute (TAI) from Thailand and Ufuk Dialogue Foundation from Nigeria.

At the end of the two-day conference, a final declaration was announced.

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