The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed by the resolution A/RES/66/292. 1 June as the Global Day of Parents , to be observed annually in honor of parents throughout the world. The Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their "selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship."

FORUM: Global Day of Parents 2020, "Greater support needed for working parents as COVID-19 takes hold."

Families bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the anchors of the family and the foundation of our communities and societies, parents have the responsibility of sheltering their families from harm, caring for out-of-school children and, at the same time, continuing their work responsibilities. Without support from parents, children’s health, education and emotional well-being is at risk. By introducing family-friendly workplace policies and practices, companies and organizations will be in a better position to promote children’s safety and wellbeing and provide systematic support to employees. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its exponential growth, a technical note from UNICEF, ILO and UN Women on family-friendly policies and other good workplace practices in the context of COVID-19 shows that it is essential to support working families to minimize negative consequences for children.

CONVENTIONS & DECLARATION

• Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention

• Maternity Protection Convention

• Equal Remuneration Convention

• Maternity Protection Convention (Revised)

• Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention

• Workplace Solutions For Childcare

• Reconciling Work And Family Responsibilities: Practical Ideas from Global Experience

• Declaration on Social Progress and Development

• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Convention on the Rights of the Child

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

PAST OBSERVANCES

“Good Parenting Builds Society: The Importance of Motherhood and Fatherhood" - UN Global Day of Parents 2019.

The family, the natural and fundamental group unit of society, is grounded in the unique role and primary responsibility of parents. When mothers and fathers nurture and protect their children, the benefits for children and society are undeniable. For this reason and others, parents and the social significance of parenting deserve a special recognition during the Global Day of Parents (UNGA/RES/66/292).

Remarks:

H.E. Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to the UN; H.E. Mr. Valentin Rybakov, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Belarus to the UN; Msgr. Tomasz Grysa, Deputy Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN.

Speakers:

Critical First Years of Parent-Child Relationships: Erica Komisar, LCSW, Parenting Coach, Psychoanalyst, and Author of “Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters”.

United Mothers and Fathers Benefit Children and Social Development: Grace Melton, Heritage Foundation, Associate for Social Issues at the United Nations, DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society.

Promoting the Rights and Responsibilities of Both Parents: Jonathan Schweppe. Director of Policy and Government, American Principles Project.

Supporting Single Parents as a Means of Women's Empowerment - CSW63 Side Event.

The number of single parents has been increasing around the world. About 320 million children - one in every seven children under the age of 18 - is living in a single-parent household, more than 80 percent of which are led by women. While the context of all single-parent families might differ – the most widespread factors being widowhood, divorce, separation or abandonment, among others -, single parents, and especially single mothers share many challenges. They often have to face discriminatory laws and policies, violence and stigmatization, as well as a higher risk of poverty and socio- economic marginalization. The high likelihood for the inter-generational transmission of poverty also threatens to define the future of children growing up in families in vulnerable situations - the future of a new generation. The high-level panel will discuss policies and best practices supporting single parents, with special regard to single mothers and their children in different regions of the world and in different contexts.

Towards Family Sensitive Social Protection - CSocD57 Side Event .

Discussion Questions:

What measures can governments take to strengthen the stability of family life over the life course?

What measures can governments take to support family formation, choice, interdependence and solidarity, which promote the vitality of family life and its capacity to perform the essential functions of procreation, socialization of the young etc.?

How can governments facilitate inter-generational transfers that support adult children in caring for elderly parents and grandparents in caring roles for their grandchildren?

What steps can States take to promote a family sensitive social protection?