Another cohort of participants to complete the course at the Fathers’ School
The third batch of trainees will soon complete the course offered by the Fathers’ School programme
implemented in Kutaisi 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 current batch of trainees of the Fathers’ School was opened on November 5, 2022, in partnership
with the women’s health centre HERA, and 14 new and/or expectant fathers participated in it. On
December 3, they, together with their spouses, will attend the last session of the training.
Fathers’ School programme was first launched in 2021 in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. The programme aims 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 men learn more about gender equality, as well as about
stereotypes and harmful social norms that prevent us from achieving genuine equality.
The training course offered by Fathers’ School consists of nine sessions. With the help of a specially
designed module, fathers are 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, fathers receive first aid training led by a visiting expert informing participants about some
measures to be applied in a critical situation to protect their child from an imminent risk of serious
harm.
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 higher self-esteem and high academic achievements, better social skills, less behavioural
problems and increased stress resistance.
Fathers’ School was established 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.
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.
Contact Persons:
Ms Salome Benidze
Communications Analyst, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Mobile: 577 211 300
E-mail: benidze@unfpa.org
Mr Mirian Jugheli
Coordinator, ManCare Campaign
Mobile: 593 656 294
E-mail: mjugheli@gmail.com