“It is proving increasingly difficult to discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights in UN texts. Sexual orientation, gender identity and sexuality education are also particularly hard to address. These concepts are seen as a threat to so-called ‘traditional family values’, Senator and Prof. Dr. Petra De Sutter explained. “Family is understood as a unit with a male breadwinner and the woman in the role of house wife”.
Petra De Sutter was part of an international parliamentary delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women from the 13th to the 17th of March in New York, organised by the European Parliamentary Forum for Population and Development (EPF). The delegation of MPs attended the plenary sessions of the UN Commission and met with UNFPA, international NGOs and the International Women's Health Coalition.
In a meeting with the Holy See (the Vatican), the delegation discussed sexual and reproductive health and rights, violence against women and the negotiations.
The delegation was made up of MPs from Belgium, Malawi, Cameroon, Finland and Ireland. The Commission’s theme was women’s empowerment and the changing world of work. Petra De Sutter took part in the delegation as vice president of EPF’s Executive Board.
In a meeting with the Holy See (the Vatican), the delegation discussed sexual and reproductive health and rights, violence against women and the negotiations.
The delegation was made up of MPs from Belgium, Malawi, Cameroon, Finland and Ireland. The Commission’s theme was women’s empowerment and the changing world of work. Petra De Sutter took part in the delegation as vice president of EPF’s Executive Board.