Large families, a matter of rights
#everychildmatters #largefamiliesmatter
To all political parties:
Associated members of European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC) representing 24 EU-countries present this manifesto, aimed to advocate for the development of substantial, structural and meaningful policies for families, particularly those with three or more children.
FACTS TO KNOW: EUROPE TODAY
- In 2022, 3.88 million babies were born in the EU; they were 4.09 million in 2021.
- By 2070, European population will represent the 4% of the world population (today it is 6%) (UN population prospects).
- 198.5 million households, 76% have no children, 24 % have children.
- 12% of households have 1 child; 9% have 2 children; only 3% of have 3 or more children.
- 1/4 of children in Europe has 2 or more siblings (Eurostat, 2022; child: person between 0-18yrs).
- The total fertility rate in the EU stood at 1.46 live births per woman, ranging from 1.08 in Malta to 1.79 in France. (Eurostat, 2023).
- Preliminary data show that the total fertility rate in 2023 further decreased.
- Households composed of two adults with three or more dependent children had the highest risk of poverty or social exclusion (in 2022: 30%) after single person with dependent children (42%) and single-person households (33%).
- In 2021, poverty affected about 32% of large families, 17% of households with 2 children and around 16%of families with 1 child (Eurostat).
THE RIGHT TO PROTECTION
“The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” (Art.16, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, )
“The family as a fundamental unit of society has the right to appropriate social, legal and economic protection to ensure its full development. (European Social Charter, part I, Article n.16.).
A BETTER EUROPE STARTS IN BETTER AND STRONGER FAMILIES
1
We ask to recognise the central role that families plays in society, economy, sustainability.
2
We ask to include the protection of families in the European Social Pillars, according to the European Social Charter.
3
We ask to assume the family lens perspective in the European legislation.
4
We ask to continue the task of a Commissioner for Demography, developing family friendly policies in addressing demography’s challenges.
5
We ask to support the right of having the desired number of children and the right for each and every child to receive the same support without any discrimination by the number.
6
We ask to clearly distinguish and separate family policies from social inclusion policies, and regard them as an investment in the wellbeing and the quality of human capital.
7
We ask to promote and sustain “family friendly municipalities“, naming the “Capital City of Families”, the same way it is done with the smart, green or cultural city.
8
We ask to promote and incentivize “Family Friendly Companies / Employers” and assure the work-life balance for parents and caregivers, equal opportunities and treatment, without any maternity or paternity gap.
9
We ask to recognize the role and value of unpaid care work in children’s upbringing and well-being, including it in the calculation of national GDP as a first step towards accounting for invisible work in pensions and wages.
10
We ask European institutions to work closely with representative organisations of families from all Member States, and improve research and studies about families and their wellbeing, at all ages.
AN EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR LARGE FAMILIES
Large families make a significant and specific contribution to the European Union by enriching social and cultural diversity, economic growth and social cohesion, while at the same time representing a significant demographic factor. They also represent a relevant key driver of sustainability and circular economy as natural playground of solidarity, sharing and caring, creativity, teamwork and mutual support.
A large family has the “right to appropriate social, legal and economic protection to ensure its full development.”(Eu. Social Charter).
Therefore we call on the European Union to develop a “strategy for large families” , based on the European Social Charter, incouraging Member States to increase financial support through tax deductions and family allowances proportional to the number of children, while providing affordable and high-quality childcare, education, healthcare and transport to reduce the financial burden on parents.
The strategy could include employment policies, including measures to prevent discrimination based on family size.
Holistic and overarching, the strategy should also include support for family businesses (both SME and agriculture), housing and the needs derived from the Green Deal Directive, such as the provision of solar panels, electric vehicles for large numbers of passengers and measures to increase building efficiency.
The strategy should also include concrete programs such as the European Large Family Card, a non-financial support measure to ease mobility and the access to sport, cultural and educational programs, preventing economic and cultural poverty among large families.
Condivido e sottoscrivo i contenuti del vostro manifesto, impegnandomi a sostenere azioni a favore delle famiglie nella mia azione politica.
CONDIVIDO E SOTTOSCRIVO IL MANIFESTO ELETTORALE