Fertility Europe supports the EU Intergenerational Fairness initiative as very important in the context of fertility, infertility, and involuntary childlessness. As Europe faces declining birth rates and ageing populations, our response must be rooted in a rights-based framework that respects reproductive autonomy, rather than driven by demographic targets or population control strategies.
We advocate for the recognition of infertility as a public health issue and for equal access to fertility care for all who need it. Involuntary childlessness, often caused by infertility defined as a medical condition, delayed access to care, or socio-economic barriers, affects millions across the continent.
Reproductive autonomy must be at the heart of intergenerational policy. The ability to have children - if and when one chooses - should be supported through comprehensive, timely, and accessible fertility care. This includes integrating accessible and publicly funded fertility treatment, prevention of environmental factors of infertility, public awareness, and fertility preservation into broader health and social strategies, always with respect for individual rights and diversity of family forms.
Younger generations should not be expected to “solve” demographic concerns without being given the tools and freedom to build the lives and families they desire. Supporting reproductive rights is both a matter of social justice and a prerequisite for a truly fair intergenerational future.