UNFPA Georgia Country Office and Zhordani Clinic have signed a memorandum of cooperation.

Within the UN Joint Programme on Gender Equality, implemented with the support of Government of Sweden, Zhordania Clinic will be hosting a "Fathers' School" from 2024. This cooperation will be carried out in partnership with Care Together, responsible for the implementation of the "Fathers' School" programme.

The goal of the programme is to promote acquisition and utilization of the skills and behaviours among men, which will help them to become more engaged and caring fathers and partners. The "Fathers’ School" programme will also help them 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. Training is free and interested fathers will be able to participate through online registration.

The training course offered by the "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 relevant heakthcare professionals as well. 

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.

Fathers’ School programme was first launched by the UNFPA Georgia CO in 2021 at Gagua Clinic in Tbilisi and women's health centre Hera in Kutaisi within the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme, jointly implemented by UNFPA and UN Women, with the support of the European Union.