In the Vitebsk region, fathers are increasingly taking parental leave
The role of the father in modern Belarusian society is increasing; the head of the family is entrusted not only with the functions of a breadwinner and protector. Today, men are increasingly seen walking with a baby stroller, at the pediatrician's office. It is no longer uncommon for dads, not moms, to take sick leave for a sick child.
Some will say that the reason for this redistribution of roles lies in financial interest: whoever of the spouses has a lower salary takes care of the child while the other earns money to support the family. Indeed, the social service also points to the economic background. At the same time, specialists note that dads increasingly want to actively participate in raising their offspring themselves. Changes in legislation are also driven by this need. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has taken the initiative to enshrine paternity leave upon the birth of a child in the Labor Code of Belarus.
– From the moment the baby is born, the father (or stepfather) will be granted a two-week unpaid leave, which he can use within six months. Currently, the bill is undergoing its first reading in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, – explains the specialist. – Sweden has been working in this direction for over 30 years; for us, this innovation is a timely practice. This legislative initiative will help to involve fathers even more in child-rearing.
The involvement of modern men is also noted by **Svetlana Nagibovich, Chief Freelance Obstetrician-Gynecologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus**.
– Fathers have a need not only to empathize but also to be present with a woman during childbirth, and healthcare today provides them with this opportunity – partner births. This, in my opinion, unites families, develops family values, – emphasizes Svetlana Yurievna.
If a father wants to actively participate in raising a child from the first days of life, it is important to do so correctly. The project "Mama Pro," implemented by the information social and charitable institution for the support of children and families "Baby Story" with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Belarus, is aimed at training new fathers to handle babies.
As noted by **Diana Mardas, the project manager and obstetrician-gynecologist**, based on the experience of congresses held in all regional centers, with Vitebsk being the final stage, fathers have many questions – from what happens to a woman during pregnancy to how to change a baby's diaper. It is important that both parents receive reliable information from competent specialists on newborn care, rather than searching for it on the internet. Moreover, the forum format includes not only theory but also practice – master classes, life hacks from medical professionals on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, hygienic procedures for infants, and more.
The fact that the topic is of interest to representatives of the stronger sex is also confirmed by the composition of the forum participants. Among the 250 attendees of the congress at the "Vitebsk" Concert Hall, there were many fathers who not only attended as spectators but also took an active part in the master classes.
Due to the growing interest in the topic from men, the organizers plan to hold the "Papa Pro" congress for them in the fall. Minsk will serve as the starting platform, and then the regions will be connected.