Belarus celebrates Family Day today

15/05/20180 views

The International Day of Families is celebrated annually on May 15 in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution. This year, the holiday is held under the slogan "Family and Inclusive Society". In Belarus, the republican holiday - Family Day - is also celebrated on this day.

A strong family is the foundation for the development of the state. In 2017, the number of couples officially registering their relationships increased in Belarus. 66,215 marriages were concluded in the country.

The number of large families is gradually increasing in Belarus. Currently, there are about 15,000 families in the country raising orphans and children left without parental care. Various forms of child placement are widely used in the country - substitute, foster, guardianship families, family-type homes.

The state maintains its social obligations to support families with children. The country has ensured an increase in child care benefits, introduced additional types of financial support for families, and provides a wide range of social services. A total of 11 types of benefits are provided, paid upon the birth of children, as well as in connection with the costs of their upbringing. More than 545,000 children currently receive various benefits - this is one-third of all Belarusian children under 18 years of age.

One of the most significant measures to support families upon the birth of third and subsequent children in Belarus is the family capital - a one-time provision of non-cash funds in the amount of $10,000 upon the birth or adoption of a third or subsequent child. As of May 1, 2018, Belarusbank branches had 52,500 family capital deposit accounts, with $524 million credited to them. In addition, large families receive annual one-time financial assistance for the start of the school year. In 2017, 143,300 families received various types of assistance in preparation for school, amounting to almost Br16 million.

At the legislative level, the state strives to provide young families with favorable conditions for the birth and upbringing of children. In particular, amendments to the Labour Code are being prepared, providing for the possibility of paternity leave upon the birth of a child. In 2017, 3169 fathers exercised their right to childcare leave. Close attention is also paid to the development of flexible employment arrangements that allow for the combination of work and childcare.

Work to strengthen socio-economic incentives is being carried out in parallel with activities to enhance the prestige of the institution of family and consolidate family values. To this end, a number of events are held, including the contests "Best Large Family" and "Family of the Year".

In the current five-year period, family policy is aimed at consolidating the achieved birth rates and promoting a positive attitude towards family in society. This is envisaged by the State Programme "People's Health and Demographic Security of the Republic of Belarus" for 2016-2020.

News of Belarus (BELTA)