How and when was UNAF created?
UNAF was created in 1989 as an answer to the need of many family organizations to unite in order to fight for their rights. In those days in Spain there were no family organizations and UNAF introduced not only a new tool to fight for the rights of the families, but also a different point of view of what families are.
Nowadays UNAF consists of 27 Organizations all over Spain, where we carry on our own projects, but also each organization develops its own ones.
What does UNAF do?
UNAF is the most important organization in Spain concerning families and the multiple problems they may face.
We are a reference point in Family Mediation in our country, and many of our organizations are reference points in their fields too. Our actions vary a lot, but all of them have to do with the search of a better life for the families. Helping them, fighting for their rights and supporting them.
In your opinion, which were the main reasons that made the ORGANIZATION so successful?
We are a very active and fast growing organization, definitely. When UNAF was created there were no organizations which fought for the rights of the families, and it was a real need. I think that fact was crucial for our success but we have steadily been developing and there are many reasons for it. We keep a constant impetus to help families, to fight for those whose rights are not taken into account. We are eager to lend a hand and solve real problems of real people. All of our member organizations are clear examples of how to work in order to solve people’s needs.
Which are the main difficulties encountered by UNAF?
At the very beginning everything was to be done. What to do and how to do it, were anything but simple questions. And it was tough work. We needed rules, knowledge and a method of work and that is difficult to achieve when you are just starting something new. We had to make our own place and we did it. Once we found our way everything started to flow more smoothly, not because things were easier but because we had learnt how to fight.
Nowadays the explicit support that the Government makes to the new social policies, builds up a much more fluid government-society relationship than ever before. So everyone has reasons to be glad.
Is there any particular “success story” you would like to share with our members?
I would like to vary your question a little bit and tell you about some of our activities that, in the end, are “success stories”.
Two of our own highlighted programmes are: Mediation as conflict resolutions within the family, where we have excellent experts and a broad experience and Immigration and sexuality as a key tool for people’s integral health.
But, of course, I am proud to share some of our members’ programmes. The “Federación de Asociaciones de Mujeres Separadas y Divorciadas” -Federation of Separated and Divorced Women- offers free advice to assist women in their rights and to support women and their children facing different conflicts It also provides psychological assistance. It was pioneer in the creation of these services in Spain. Since 1991 it runs a recovery centre for battered women and their children.
As to good practices is referred another of our organizations, “Asociación Salud y Familia” -Health and Family Association-, is having a Congress next October on Time Banks. A wide experience has been achieved on this good practice and it will be an opportunity to share and to known new projects.
Another significant programme supporting one-parent families is carried out by the Asociación de Familias Monoparentales de Cataluña - Association of one-parent families of Catalonia-, the project consists on a free service to take care about children when the parent gets a job. It favours women, conciliation between labour and family life and it fosters non formal education.
When talking about rights,the Plataforma Andaluza de Apoyo al Lobby Europeo de Mujeres -Andalusian Platform Support to European Women's Lobby- is always to mention. This organization is holding their 20th, Feminario next November “The Rights of Women are Human Rights” and it is also campaigning against exploitation and trafficking of women and children.
Finally two more examples of real programmes working for real people, are those of the Asociación de Madres Solteras (AMASOL) –Single Mothers Association- and the Sunday meetings between mothers, where they get together to share their experiences and to learn on gender and to collaborate with others in Social Training courses or workshops. And last but not least, the next “III Meeting of Homoparental Families”, to be hold in October by GALEHI - Asociación de Familias de Gays y Lesbianas con Hijos e Hijas - and the FELGTB Spain, and their effort for the recognition of the right of adoption for the homoparental families.
How do you imagine UNAF 5 years from now?
With the same strength and with the same passion but even in a bigger context. Reinforcing our bonds and contacts within Europe and beyond. And developing more programmes that allow a better stability in life for all of our families.
How is the relationship between UNAF and the WFO?
The WFO is the right platform that enables us to join efforts, compare policies, learn from each country and each organization and their experiences, all over the world.
UNAF feels itself as an integral part of WFO and it is fully identified with the work it carries out.
UNAF is always ready to lend a hand to the WFO, whatever the position it might hold. We would be proud to help in every aspect with what we humbly can do. |
