DSPD Focal Point on the Family organized an International Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on “Family Policy Development: Achievements and Challenges” at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14 to 15 May 2015. The meeting focused on changing families, family law reforms, violence in the family and their impact on family policy development.

The EGM took place in response to recent General Assembly and Economic and Social Council resolutions, in line with the overall objectives of the International Year of the Family and its follow-up processes.

The Economic and Social Council stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment to strengthen and support all families, recognizing that equality between women and men and respect for all of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all family members are essential to family well-being and to society at large. It also noted that gender equality, women’s equal participation in employment and shared parental responsibility are essential elements of policy on the family. Further, the Council encouraged Member States “to develop and implement policies and national strategies to prevent violence within the family as a whole, including child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence, and thereby enhance the well-being of all its members.

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