The central event of the Father's Day was organized by UNFPA Georgia CO and NGO We Care in Tbilisi, at Mziuri Park Stage on June 19, in cooperation with Tbilisi City Hall. During the event the premiere of the new song “Father’s Lullaby” by Musician Zura Javakhia (Music band “ARA”) was held. The song was specially created for this day and was performed by Zura Javakhia together with the children from "Basti-Bubu" studio.
This is the second year that MenCare Georgia campaign celebrates Father’s Day in Georgia on June 19th. This campaign is the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia CO in partnership with the NGO We Care, implemented within the frames of the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality funded by the Government of Sweden.
Father’s Day celebration is part of a much wider effort by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to contribute to achieving substantive gender equality in Georgia. This Day is to emphasize the importance of involving fathers in the family life and upbringing of children.
Men’s care and involvement has a great importance for the well-being of women, children, and society at large. The findings of the research Men and Gender Relations in Georgia (2013, UNFPA) confirm that existing stereotypes and established clichés prevent men from taking responsibility and being caring fathers, husbands, partners and family members. It also suggests existence of strong social standards: the share of men involved in daily activities, such as selecting reading books for their children, meeting with schoolteachers, helping their children with homework, when necessary, and washing their clothes, does not exceed 5%.
MenCare Campaign aims at promoting men’s involvement as equitable, nonviolent fathers, partners and caregivers in order to achieve better health and family well-being and to encourage men to support gender equality and social and economic participation of women and thus contribute to harmonious development of the society. MenCare campaign is open to all men, who share the idea and principles of the Campaign.
Representatives of governmental agencies, international and non-governmental organizations and private sector joined the Father’s Day celebration. Several other events organized by partners of the Campaign were held on June 18 and 19. Including special masterclass for fathers, dedicated to Father’s Day, was hosted by Culinarium Cooking School. Active members of MenCare Georgia, including celebrities, attended the masterclass with their children.
