In Belarus, fathers will be more actively involved in raising children

In the upcoming five-year plan, greater emphasis will be placed on engaging fathers in child-rearing, strengthening the institution of the family through the development of support services, and enhancing targeted assistance.

This information was conveyed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. In Belarus, the average maternal age at the birth of the first child is slightly over 27 years. Several factors influence this trend: a desire for self-education and career advancement, economic stability, and the development of reproductive technologies.

Svetlana Belash, head of the Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Belarus, stated: "There are countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, and France, where the average age of motherhood is around 30 years, and yet the total fertility rate is higher than in other European nations. In these countries, fathers actively participate in child-rearing and household management. For us, it is very important to have support not only from the state but also from employers who assist their employees who are parents. Additionally, support from student youth and higher education institutions is crucial to creating a more layered platform where families can form and strengthen."

Supporting families remains a national priority in Belarus. One distinctive feature of our country compared to others is the paid parental leave of three years, whereas in Russia, it is only one and a half years.