Historical Consensus on the promotion of women's health and strengthening of the family

Washington D.C., October 22, 2020. - The governments of Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Uganda, and the United States led the virtual signing of the "Geneva Consensus Declaration" last Thursday, October 22, which has been joined by more than 30 countries representing each and every region of the planet and whose population constitutes more than 1.5 billion of the world's people.

This historic declaration takes its name from the fact that it was proposed in the context of the 2020 World Health Assembly that was to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, but which, due to the global pandemic situation caused by COVID-19, did not take place in the end.

The document establishes a turning point in the recent international panorama with respect to the interpretation that has been given to the promotion of women's and family health; the Declaration recovers universally recognized human rights that have been denaturalized in recent times and at the same time crystallizes essential principles in favor of women, the family and national sovereigntyThe world's most important international policies and programs should be centered on these issues.

Despite the repeated enunciation of these principles by UN member states, UN policy over the past decades has marginalized mothers, relegated the family and undermined national sovereignty both normatively and programmatically.

The Geneva Consensus can be an ideal instrument for a transformation of multilateral policy, and can be used as a catalyst for the consolidation of the family as a fundamental pillar of humanity.

Our global platform Women of the World considers itself particularly challenged by the fifth point of the Declaration, since it contains the basic principles that gave rise to our foundation almost seven years ago:

We reaffirm that "the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to the protection of society and the State".[1]that "motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance".[2]and that "women play a decisive role in the family".[3]as well as reaffirm the contribution of women to the "well-being of the family and the development of society".[4].

Principles that underlie the binomial of femininity and masculinity, since the father and the mother each have their own identity and their essential, but different and complementary roles in the family. Basic elements such as defense and promotion of motherhood, which should be recognized as having incalculable value and dignityThe company's social and political support is guaranteed. Values such as Recognition of the role of women in the family and in society..

The mission of Women of the World is revalidated in this Declaration and our platform confirms the principles that underpin its work around the world.

We extend our congratulations and sincere thanks to the six nations that have led the endorsement of this significant Declaration and to those who have adhered to it.