110 likes | 119 Vues
7.3.2019. Framing and organizing our work as rights of the child advocacy. – the case of Rainbow Families Finland. Juha Jämsä Executive Director Rainbow Families Finland (Sateenkaariperheet ry) juha.jamsa@sateenkaariperheet.fi www.sateenkaariperheet.fi.
E N D
7.3.2019 Framing and organizing our work as rights of the child advocacy – the case of Rainbow Families Finland
Juha Jämsä ExecutiveDirector RainbowFamilies Finland (Sateenkaariperheet ry) juha.jamsa@sateenkaariperheet.fi www.sateenkaariperheet.fi
Balancing in (lgbti) FamilyAssociations • Rights of thechildren • Access to parentalcare • Rights of theadults • Access to parenthood Blamefrom outside: to selfishlyrequire (reproduction) rights for lgbtiadults is to play withchildren Reality: associationsfoundedbyparents for theprotection of theirexistingkids
Placing Rights of the Child in Focus • Politicalaims • Strategic networking • Participation of children • Support for families
FramingPoliticalAimsas Rights of the Child • Parentalleaves(2017) for rainbowfamilies • theright of thechild to haveherparents at home takingcare of her • Right of access(2019) for de facto parents • theright of thechild to haveaccess to all of herde facto parents • Maternity Act (2019) for femalecouples • The right of thechild to haveherbothmothersrecognisedfrombirth
Maternity Act • Maternalrecognitionwithoutneed to adopt • Government 2011-2015 tried to legislate, butfailed • Currentgovernmentwasn’twilling to doanything • Weorganisedcitizens’ initiativeto passtheproposal in theparliament (requires 50 000 signatories) • Half a yearmedia campaignresulted in: • Cleararticulation of therights of thechildperspective • MostFinnshave some idea aboutMaternity Act • EVERY majorFinnishchildren’srights association and authoritywas in favour of theinitiative • Parliamentruled in favourbylandslide: 122 – 42
Arguments for Maternity Act • Through Maternity Act thechild…. • willhaveright to both of herparents • willhaveright of access, maintenance and heritageevenifherparentsdivorce • willnotbecome an orphanifherbirthmotherdies • willstillhaveright to herfatherifshehasone
Strategic Networking • Central Union for Child Welfare “We are child protection association” • Diverse Families –network “Actually, we are not so marginal” • Ombudsman for children ”Ourchildrenareprotectedbythe CRC” • Child welfareresearchnetworks ”Wearededicated to wellbeing of thechildren”
Participation of Children • Study of thewell-being of children (n=106) • Surveys for children • Kids and youthactivitiesplannedbythemselves • Givingpublicvoice to experiences of childrenraised in rainbowfamilies
Children’s Rights= Adults’ Responsibilities Helpingparents in theirduty to ensurechildren’srights: • ParenthoodCouching to securelegal and psychologicalsecurity for thekids • Support for parents and children in divorce • Support for parents’ intimaterelationships • Parentingskillstrainings and groups