Governmental influence on childbearing: What’s really at stake?

A thought-provoking discussion on pronatalist policies and their implications for the lives of women and girls.

This page is for in-person registration. To participate remotely, please go to the Zoom registration page: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_20abg8SBROWBMs_sw0cVmw

On the sidelines of CSW 69, the Population Council invites you to a thought-provoking discussion on pronatalist policies and their implications for the lives of women and girls.

A growing number of countries seek to increase childbearing to achieve economic and cultural objectives. Speakers will explore social, health, economic, and legal impacts of these policies in diverse settings including in China, across North America, and in Indigenous communities.

Speakers and Commentators

Dr Rana Hajjeh, President of the Population Council will provide introductory remarks and perspective on the Council's work on this issue.

Ms. Yiping Cai, PhD candidate at University of California Irvine, and member of the DAWN Executive Committee will speak on the transition of China’s population policy and how its challenges offer an opportunity to reconfigure social policies centered on justice and equality.

Dr Joan Kaufman, Senior Director for Academic Programs for the Schwarzman Scholars Program and Lecturer on Global Health at Harvard Medical School, will amplify observations with reference to China.

Ms. Judith Bruce, Senior Advisor, Population Council (Moderator)

Professor Shelley Clark, James McGill Professor of Sociology at McGill University, will highlight the impact of pronatalist policies for urban and rural women in the United States, drawing on her own research.

Dr Kelly Hallman, Founder and Executive Director of the Indigenous Justice Circle, and an enrolled member of the Cherokee nation, will center her remarks on implications of both antinatalist and pronatalist policies for Indigenous girls and women.

Dr Vladimira Kantorova, Chief of the Fertility and Population Ageing Section of the Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations whose research has focused on fertility, reproductive health and family dynamics will address the demographic foundations—especially in Europe—and the effectiveness (and fairness) of population policies.

The program will run for 90 minutes, followed by 30 minutes to network. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.