Fathers’ School has reopened in Tbilisi as part of the MenCare Campaign, at the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office and the NGO “Care Together”.
The programme, which aims to promote acquisition and utilization of the skills and behaviours among men and help them to become more engaged and caring fathers and partners, was launched in 2021. The Fathers’ School programme will also help men learn more about gender equality, as well as about stereotypes and harmful social norms that prevent them from achieving genuine equality.
Men who are planning to become fathers in the near future, expectant fathers, or fathers of children under the age of three form the target audience of the programme. The training course is free and is organized for 12 participants. Interested persons will be able to participate through online registration.
The training course offered by Fathers’ School consists of eight 2-hour sessions. With the help of a specially designed module, fathers will be able to gain knowledge and information on important topics, such as:
- Choosing a right time to have a child;
- Supporting a partner during pregnancy and childbirth;
- Sharing household chores;
- Choosing methods of raising children;
- Protecting a child from violence;
- Maintaining healthy family relationships;
- Importance of equal partnership.
In addition, online meetings with specialists actively involved in the process of raising children are planned within the framework of the Fathers’ School programme. Fathers participating in the programme will have the opportunity to ask questions to paediatricians, gynaecologists, child psychologists, and other relevant specialists.
“We are glad that this year Fathers' School will host more men. The experience gained last year and the young fathers’ interest in the Fathers’ School programme have clearly shown that our society today is much more open to innovations and changes than it was a few years ago. Such changes, i.e. the changes that free people from harmful social norms and stereotypes, form the basis for building a harmonious society,” - Lela Bakradze, Head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office.
Gagua Clinic remains the partners of the Fathers’ School programme in Tbilisi and the sessions will be held in this clinic.
„Our experience has clearly shown us the positive impact of fathers’ involvement in antenatal care and childbirth and how it decreased likelihood of childbirth complications. Gagua Clinic has become a partner in this project, which intends to increase the involvement of fathers, promote social changes and make it easier for families to get through this important stage of life.” - David Gagua, Director General of Gagua Clinic.
The benefits of fathers' active involvement in childcare and upbringing have been proven by numerous studies: the children are much happier, distinguished by physical and mental health, have high academic achievements, better social skills, higher self-esteem, less behavioural problems and increased stress resistance.
The Fathers’ School programme is being carried out in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme, funded by the European Union, implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA. The programme seeks to tackle gender stereotypes and discriminatory norms, ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men, and active involvement of men in the process of promoting gender equality.
