Emil Kurbanov and Gvantsa Ichkiti, partners for 12 years and married for five, welcomed their son Duda in December 2024, transforming their lives. 

Emil and Gvantsa made the conscious decision to have a baby, reaching a stage in their lives where they felt ready to prioritize childcare. Contrary to the common stereotype, they had always envisioned themselves as parents of a girl, and all their thoughts and ideas revolved around having a daughter, including choosing a name.

“When Duda was born, I realized things would never be the same again because all our time and energy is driven by him. But the most important part is that we enjoy doing so”, Gvantsa adds.

Emil, a caring husband, joined the "Fathers' School" at Gagua Clinic in Tbilisi, a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2021 by UNFPA Georgia Country Office and Care Together, with the support of the European Union. Over 100 men have attended the school, challenging gender stereotypes and promoting gender equality.

Initially skeptical, Emil's friends became curious after observing his transformation. He realized the importance of debunking societal stereotypes and is confident that his friends will enroll in the Fathers' School when they become fathers.

Emil's experience at the Fathers' School reshaped his understanding of parental roles. He realized that both parents should be equally involved in childcare, debunking the myth of distinct "roles" for mothers and fathers.
Reflecting on his childhood, Emil regrets the lack of discussing personal issues with his own father mainly because his father was at work during the day and when he came home late, they could not communicate that much. 

“Very often, I received my father’s advice indirectly from my mother. My father did not come straight to me to ask me why I did something - he instead told that to my mother. But he did it because he did not want to hurt me”, Emil says.

For several years now, Emil and his father have been running a business together - known as Lumier’s Chimney Cake. The joint business gave them the opportunity to spend more time together and to get to know each other really well.  

Now as a father himself, Emil strives to provide a different experience for Duda, emphasizing the importance of quality time, open communication, and trust:

“This is what I also learned from the school – when you spend quality time with the child, encouraging sincere communication and trust is the basis of fatherhood. Because when he grows up, he speaks up without hiding things from you”.

Gvantsa also notes that before the Fathers' School, Emil was unaware of the essentials needed when caring for Duda on outings. However, after a session dedicated to a "dad bag," Emil became confident and prepared.

Emil recently launched a TikTok page, "Duda's Daddy," which showcases his journey as a father, including unboxing a dad bag.

This story is produced in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme (phase 2), funded by the European Union, implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA.