“Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies, and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate”

Co-organized by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, UN-DESA Division for Inclusive Social Development, the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), and the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), with the collaboration of the International Federation for Home Economics.

Every year the Commission for Social Development prioritizes the World Summit for Social Development. And this year, in particular, it aims to support the thematic reviews of the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, including cross-cutting issues.

Since Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they are committed to reducing inequality between and within countries in its multiple dimensions. Nevertheless, there is broad consensus that, without appropriate policy interventions, the gains from the growth had not trickled down to reduce inequality.

Among the holistic and cost-effective policy interventions, a family responsive legislation is crucial to reduce inequalities and leave no one behind. The family unit is the conduit for social change and the first society where we all grow, learn and develop skills. So, the most promising target within the SDGs to tackle inequalities in this regard is the recognition and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies, and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate.

The IFFD Briefing has been held at the UN Headquarters in New York for the past seven years during the Session of the Commission for Social Development. The IFFD Family Awards are also presented during the event to the persons or territories distinguished by the promotion of family values. This programme is subject to change without prior notice.