Elma Saiz: “El enfoque feminista es una condición esencial para avanzar en la Agenda 2030 y en los derechos humanos”

“We met in Doha guided by the same values: human dignity, equality, solidarity and social justice”, said Minister Elma Saiz in her speech at the Plenary of the second World Summit on Social Development convened by the United Nations, whose main objective is to promote social development and the 2030 Agenda. This Summit is being held thirty years after the historic Copenhagen Declaration, which marked a milestone in the global consensus for poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion.

Before the plenary of the Summit, which brought together leaders from around the world, Minister Elma Saiz defended multilateralism and solidarity “as the only effective approach to face the multiple crises we face”, referring to the current context, marked by global inequalities, demographic challenges and technological and environmental transformations.

In this regard, Saiz has pointed out that Spain defends the inclusion in the final Declaration of the Summit of respect for human rights, the guarantee of social and labor rights and the need for universal policies with a gender perspective.

“All these policies must occupy the heart of the new global social contract. Incorporating a feminist approach into all public policies is an essential condition for advancing the 2030 Agenda and human rights.” In this regard, Saiz recalled that the Government is preparing the first Spanish Strategy for Feminist Cooperation that will consolidate that commitment.

In the same vein, the minister has affirmed that “we must continue to make progress in social protection for all people”, and has highlighted the importance of public welfare systems as essential tools for poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion.

“Promoting fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and eliminating child and forced labour are inalienable commitments.” Preventing discrimination and violence at work, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity, he said. On that path, “we must guarantee transitions together. Ecological, digital and demographic transitions must be transitions with rights, where no one is left behind.”

Migrations

“We cannot talk about social development without talking about migration,” said Elma Saiz, who told the plenary that “Spain knows that migration, when it is regular, orderly and safe, is a transforming force that drives inclusive growth and sustainable development. We recognize their positive contributions (economic, social and cultural) both in the countries of origin and in the countries of destination,” he said.

“That is why we promote a vision of migration based on dignity, rights and shared opportunities. We will continue to work with partner countries and international organizations to ensure the protection, inclusion and effective integration of migrants, while strengthening social development.”

Innovative solutions to promote social inclusion

The minister has also closed a side event entitled Innovative Public Policy Solutions to Promote Social Inclusion in which innovative solutions implemented successfully to promote higher levels of social inclusion have been shared.

At the meeting, the Secretary General of Inclusion, Elena Rodríguez, highlighted the Public Policy Laboratory and the Social Impact Fund as an effective way to strengthen the participation of the private sector in the social and solidarity economy.