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Framing and organizing our work as rights of the child advocacy

Learn how Rainbow Families Finland advocates for children's rights, balancing family associations, political aims, and strategic networking. Explore the Maternity Act and the importance of children's voices in advocacy efforts.

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Framing and organizing our work as rights of the child advocacy

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  1. 7.3.2019 Framing and organizing our work as rights of the child advocacy – the case of Rainbow Families Finland

  2. Juha Jämsä ExecutiveDirector RainbowFamilies Finland (Sateenkaariperheet ry) juha.jamsa@sateenkaariperheet.fi www.sateenkaariperheet.fi

  3. 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

  4. Placing Rights of the Child in Focus • Politicalaims • Strategic networking • Participation of children • Support for families

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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”

  9. Participation of Children • Study of thewell-being of children (n=106) • Surveys for children • Kids and youthactivitiesplannedbythemselves • Givingpublicvoice to experiences of childrenraised in rainbowfamilies

  10. 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

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