Candidates for Presidency of Ecuador sign commitment to childhood, life and family

Less than a month from the second electoral round for the presidency of Ecuador, candidates Daniel Noboa and Luisa González signed a “public commitment for childhood, life and family”, in which they promised to defend the fundamental values.

The document, released on March 11, was promoted by the “Sociedad & Familia” collective, which groups jurists, doctors, psychologists, pedagogues and other professionals committed to the defense of these principles.

The signing of the agreement was held after separate meetings between the candidates and the collective on March 7 and 10, respectively.

Four key commitments

The agreement signed by the candidates includes four fundamental points:

1. Defense of life from conception to natural death: “We will not support the approval of any reform that legalizes or extends abortion or euthanasia,” says the agreement, in compliance with articles 45 and 66.1 of the Ecuadorian Constitution.

Héctor Yépez, a member of the Sociedad & Familia Collective, said in an interview with Ewtn News The importance of this point in the current context of the country. “In Ecuador, there is currently a case in the Constitutional Court where it is intended to legalize abortion without causes and without deadlines, that is, until the last day of pregnancy for any reason. It is very important that, who wins, both candidates have expressed that they disagree with that. And, of course, we are going to watch, ”he said.

He also stressed that candidates lead political forces that represent more than 80% of the next National Assembly, which could translate a legislative consensus on this matter.

2. Respect for parents to educate their children according to their faith and convictions: “It is essential that families can educate their children without ideological impositions from the State,” says the document, citing article 29 of the Constitution.

On this point, Yépez emphasized that in Ecuador “there has been a attack against this basic right, which is guaranteed in the Ecuadorian Constitution itself.” In addition, he recalled that in 2018 “an earlier government approved a guide where they were talked about ‘trans children’ and an ideological indoctrination was promoted with which we do not agree.” For Yépez, this agreement is crucial because “neutralizes attempts to impose an ideological agenda in education.”

3. Protection of childhood and adolescence: “We will not allow gender ideology in educational texts or institutions, or sex changes in minors, or adoption by homosexual couples,” says this pact, in line with article 44 of the Constitution.

Yépez recalled the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court in the “Salinas Case”, which determined that a five -year -old could self -perceive as a girl and that educational institutions had to adapt their protocols based on this.

“So far, we could agree that no one should be a victim of aggression, violence or discrimination. However, the ruling demanded that the school and the entire educational system in Ecuador establish a protocol to allow children to define their gender identity from the age of five, ”he explained.

He stressed that the Ministry of Education has decided not to include gender ideology in these protocols and that the commitment of candidates reinforces this decision.

He also mentioned the “Amada Case”, in which the Constitutional Court analyzes allowing sex in the cards of minors. According to Yépez, “in the agreement, both candidates have declared that they will not give way to this or to adoption by homosexual couples,” which represents an unprecedented consensus point in Ecuadorian policy.

4. Family strengthening and protection: Although both candidates agreed on the importance of this point, they proposed different approaches. “We will create a state secretariat for family protection,” said González. For his part, Noboa proposed that this responsibility be assumed by the Undersecretariat of Social Movements, Freedom of Cults, Belief and Consciousness of the Ministry of Government.

Yépez explained that this commitment seeks to implement a “family approach” in public policies. “The family is the heart of society and strengthens a nation. However, in Ecuador it is threatened not only by ideologies, but also by problems such as migration, violence and child malnutrition, ”he said. He stressed that the existence of this agreement is significant because “not even on other issues a consensus of this magnitude between the two main candidates has been achieved.”

Electoral context

The signature of this commitment occurs at a key moment of the electoral contest. The second round of the presidential elections will take place on April 13, which will face the current president and candidate for re -election, Daniel Noboa, and the representative of Correism, Luisa González. Both candidates lead legislative blocks that, together, represent more than 80% of the next National Assembly, which could facilitate the implementation of these proposals in case of being elected.

Sociedad & Familia urged citizens to remain vigilant to ensure that these commitments are fulfilled. “We call citizens to be attentive so that these commitments are fulfilled in the next national government and the next legislative majority,” said the communiqué of the collective.

A call to the Christian community

Since this commitment has the support of Christian sectors, including the Catholic, Evangelical and Orthodox churches, the group has urged the believing community to reflect and pray before casting its vote. “We encourage the entire Christian community of Ecuador to seek God’s guidance in prayer in order to vote for the well -being of the family, childhood, adolescence and life of all Ecuadorians,” the statement concluded.