UNDP in Ukraine

The Project coordinator Larysa Kobelyanska said that gender equality has been closely linked to responsible fatherhood.

Certain stereotypes that exist in Ukrainian society often create obstacles to equal division of domestic chores and selection of flexible tools leading to harmonious family life overall.

"In Ukraine it is common to think that women are the only ones responsible for raising children while men have to work and gain money. This stereotype deprives men from their right to educate their children and reduces the importance of fathers. As a result, women have to choose between career and family while men can not take a parental leave to stay with their child," Larysa Kobelyanska said.

Oleksandr Marchenko, Head of public organization "International Fatherhood Centre", said that responsible fatherhood traditions, especially when it concerns men, were severely damaged over the last century.

As an example, he mentioned that during the World War II 34 millions of soldiers died with Ukrainian losses amounting to up to 10 millions. Consequently, a whole generation of children grew up without fathers. Moreover, in the former Soviet Union men had plenty opportunities to fulfill themselves outside their families which slowed down the development of responsible fatherhood traditions.

Ella Lamakh, Director of Department for Family and Gender Policy at the Ministry for Family, Youth and Sport, agreed that it was difficult for men to be truly responsible fathers in our modern society. At the same time, she stressed out that men had all the necessary potential of being good coaches and educators, thus, women should give them more opportunities to interact with their children. In return, it would also give more time and possibilities for women to develop their own potential.

Vasyl Brenzovytch, Deputy Head of Zakarpattya Regional Council, noted that Zakarpattya region had experience in working with Fathers' Schools as the Equal Opportunities Programme has started its activities in the region back in 2004.

"We have gained significant experience and are pleased to share our best practices with other regions. Moreover, on a practical side of this, one of our regional officers who recently became a father has taken a parental leave to stay with his child," he added.

The conference participants spoke in favour of introducing Father's Day in Ukraine. The participants agreed that the introduction of this day would greatly promote men's fatherhood potential. On the other hand, 33% of Ukrainian children are raised by single mothers. The establishment of Father's Day could influence the conciousness of those fathers who left their families.

Following the discussion results, the participants adopted a resolution calling on the highest State authorities and suggesting that the Father's Day is established in Ukraine.
All participants agreed that responsible fatherhood starts even before a child is actually born. The child should be born into a loving family and be wanted by their parents: only then parents are able to develop following the responsible fatherhood patterns.

The participants learned various fatherhood development methods, which were presented by the 11 schools of responsible fatherhood from different regions. The participants demonstrated a keen interest in sharing best practices even further and suggested creating a nationwide network of responsible fatherhood organizations.

Summing up the conference, Volodymyr Flenko, Head of Department for Family, Youth and Sport of Zakarpattya Regional State Administration, praised the School's organisers and suggested conducting another sitting of the School at the same place next year.

Photo by Sergiy Pyaterikov

For further information, please contact Mykola Yabchenko (Equal Opportunities and Women's Rights in Ukraine Programme) at mykola.yabchenko@undp.org.ua