15th October 2024 marked the launch event of the Coalition for Fertility “Advocating for Comprehensive and Inclusive Fertility Policies in Europe”.
The official part was started by Klaudija Kordic, Chair of Executive Committe, Fertility Europe introducing the Coalition and greeting all the signatories, MEPs, guests and online participants. She said that
“It is time for bold policies that recognize infertility as a medical issue, and acknowledge the experiences of those who are involuntarily childless, whether due to medical conditions like cancer, endometriosis, pcos, male infertility or social barriers like that unfairly affecting LGBTI individuals, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. This isn’t just about medical treatment, it’s about human dignity.”
MEPs support for the Coalition
We had an honour to be addressed by the MEPs who expressed their interest in the Coalition and support our aims:
- MEP Eleonora Meleti (EPP, EL)
“Fertility care, to be recognized as an integral part of the European Health agenda, and supporting the mental health of those facing infertility, should be seen as fundamental right and not as an optional service.”
- MEP Maria Noichl (S&D, DE)
“I think for the future, we have to understand that gender mainstreaming means we have to think in every committee about gender equality. I think fertility mainstreaming means we have to, in every committee, think about the fertility of all people, young, old, men, girls, and so on. “ - MEP Marko Vešligaj (S&D, HR)
“I think that a coalition of progressive stakeholders, such as this one, is now more important than ever when we see the rise of the anti-democratic anti-gender forces.” - MEP Kira-Marie Peter Hansen (Green, DK) at the end with conclusions for the European policymakers.
“[Infertility] is not only a question of health policy. It’s a question of employment. It’s a question of the care economy. It’s a question of the economic possibilities within this Union, and globally to have access to actually also put children into the world if we wish to do that.”
Coalition for Fertility speakers
We were delighted to gather together with most of the Coalition Members arriving in person and speaking about their organisations’ reasons to join this alliance.
Coalition for Fertility was represented in the speaker’s panel by:
- Camille Butin, Advocacy Advisor, IPPF Europe,
- Marina Davidashvili, Head of Policy and Research, EPF (European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights),
- Anita Fincham, Advocacy Manager, Fertility Europe,
- Dr Marianne Greil-Soyka, Chair, European Sexual Medicine Network (ESMN),
- Laura Henderson, Capacity Building Assistant, EPF (European Patients’ Forum),
- Professor Philip Van Kerrebroeck, European Association of Urology (EAU)
- Aisling Reidy, Advocacy Officer, ILGA Europe,
- Professor Dr Karen Sermon, Chair of Executive Committee, ESHRE (European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology),
- Professor Basil Tarlatzis, European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Professor of Obstetrics
The representatives spoke about the reproductive justice measures needed to address infertility affecting at least 1 in 6 people of reproductive age and all experiencing involuntary childlessness.
From equal access to fertility treatments and comprehensive sexuality education at schools, through need to address discrimination, to socio-economic pressures and the issue of demography being instrumentalized to restrict women’s and minorities’ rights – all speakers contributed to listing the issues affecting decisions and possibilities of having children.
Some prominent quotes included:
“Our core mission is to champion universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for all to the full spectrum of SRHR. So we strive to ensure that everyone can lead safe and dignified reproductive lives free from harm and coercion.(…) we firmly believe that any policies on fertility and demography need to be right-based and grounded in gender equality and social justice.” C. Butin, IPPF
“It’s, I think, really important to remember that even though we’re approaching this topic from quite different perspectives our goal is all the same: inclusive, affordable, accessible fertility treatments. And that’s really wonderful to see in this coalition.” A. Reidy, ILGA Europe
UNFPA support for the Coalition
Another distinguished guest of our Coalition launch was Birgit Van Hout, Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She talked about the importance of the 5 principles of human rights (non-discrimination, participation, consultancy, transparency, accountability) and how they need to be included in all our actions. She also addressed how reproductive rights can be supported by the private sector as part of their social responsibility actions. “The area of reproductive rights is one of the human rights areas that has known the fastest growth. You are, in a way, in a bit of a frontier area of human rights. But be confident that if you’re well organized and structured, you will be able to make a lot of progress both on the legislative policy, programmatic and financing front.[…] So let’s say you have our support. You have the support of the United Nations. We are going to be there with you.”
We are most grateful to all the speakers and supporters and we are really excited to work with you all and use this amazing potential we have together.
The whole event can be watched here.