On the 20th of December 2023, the European Commission and the European Council reached a long-sought political agreement on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. While the Commission described the agreement as ‘historic’, ivil society has widely criticised the Pact for its transgressions on fundamental rights, including providing for the detainment of children.
Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU. Despite progressive legal frameworks at the supra-national level, levels of protection for rainbow families specifically vary significantly between European states. Some countries provide adequate legal safeguards, while others lag behind, reflecting an ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.
The Council of the European Union approved the European Child Guarantee (ECG) to address and combat child poverty and exclusion (Council of the European Union, 2021). This report by Eurofound provides knowledge and information about the workforce relevant to ECG and to support Member States in implementing the ECG and reporting on the implementation of national action plans.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, COFACE Families Europe is calling on EU policymakers and employers to take concrete and effective measures to close the gender employment gap in the EU. Women’s participation in employment is significantly affected by motherhood, with negative consequences for their health, for families and the economy.
The COFACE network will meet in Zagreb to study the Croatian Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Programme, co-hosted with Step by Step Parents Association. There will also be a working group on safer internet building connections with Insafe and INHOPE networks, discussing the work of COFACE members, and COFACE’s safer internet work in the future.
We can show kids and teens the path and we can even make it safer for them, but we can’t always be there to hold their hands nor keep them from going out into the world - and the world wide web. The environments that children are growing up in today are drastically different from the ones that we have known in the past. However, one thing is still the same: children and teens want to follow their curiosities, learn who they are and connect with other kids. Today they can do this from the palm of their hands.
In early February, the Commission adopted a proposal to update the criminal law rules on child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. Child sexual abuse is a heinous crime which has evolved significantly over the past years.
The European Accessibility Resource Centre has recently published comprehensive guidelines outlining Accessibility Standards at the European level.
This document provides information on why standards related to accessibility matter, no matter if you are a person with disabilities, an expert on accessibility, a legislator, a procurer, a manufacturer or a service provider.
COFACE’s Lithuanian member, the National Assembly of Active Mothers (NAMS), recently engaged in a public dialogue alongside other NGOs, social services, and professionals to address the critical issue of mental health within families, with a particular focus on supporting mothers.
