May 15 – International Day of Families

International Day of Families is celebrated annually on May 15. This is a relatively new holiday, the establishment of which was announced in 1993 at the UN General Assembly.

In the Republic of Belarus, family, motherhood, fatherhood, and childhood in their traditional understanding are subject to special protection by the state, as they are an indispensable condition for the preservation and development of the Belarusian people.

Social support for families in the birth and upbringing of children is one of the key areas of state policy, which is guaranteed by the main legal acts in the Republic of Belarus: the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the laws "On Healthcare," "On State Social Benefits, Rights and Guarantees for Certain Categories of Citizens," "On the Rights of the Child," "On Assisted Reproductive Technologies," the Code "On Marriage and Family," the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus "On Additional Measures for State Protection of Children in Dysfunctional Families," as well as other regulatory acts.

One of the main directions of the state is the formation in society of a model of a prosperous, successful family with two or more children, capable of spiritual, moral self-development and self-realization. The family, as the basic element of society, has been and remains the keeper of human values, culture, and historical continuity of generations, a factor of stable development. According to the 2019 census, 2,612,413 families were registered in Belarus. Of these, more than 43% have children under 18 years of age. The number of large families is constantly increasing. And today there are already more than 121 thousand such families. Of these, families with three children account for more than 80%.

The protection of the reproductive health of the population, the creation of conditions for the birth of healthy children, and the reduction of infant, child, and maternal mortality have special public significance and serve as criteria for the effectiveness of the country's healthcare system. The tasks of preserving the health of mothers and children are being carried out in several priority areas, including preparing women for motherhood,

measures for the protection of fetal and newborn health, preparing youth and young families on issues of marriage, and measures for the protection of children's health in preschool institutions and during the school period.

To protect the reproductive health of the population and for family planning purposes, family planning offices and schools for expectant parents have been organized and are operating in all women's health clinics, and healthy child clinics are available in children's polyclinics.

Since 2016, mandatory pre-abortion counseling has been provided by obstetrician-gynecologists and psychologists. At the request of women, clergy from the Belarusian Catholic and Orthodox Churches are involved if necessary. As a result of this comprehensive work, over 1000 pregnancies were preserved in the Vitebsk region in 2022.

Centers friendly to adolescents have been organized to address issues of reproductive, sexual, and mental health (48 in the Republic of Belarus, 4 in the Vitebsk region, 1 in the city of Vitebsk based at the Vitebsk Regional Children's Clinical Center).

Maternity hospitals operate on a rooming-in system for mother and child. The principles of breastfeeding recommended by the World Health Organization are implemented and supported.

A service for assisted reproductive technologies has been organized, enabling married couples to become happy parents. New reproductive technologies for male infertility have been introduced. The right to free provision of one IVF attempt for infertile couples is enshrined in legislation.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformations and chromosomal diseases, laboratory diagnosis of genetically determined diseases, biochemical screening of newborns, and medical genetic counseling for all pregnant women are provided. All pregnant women undergo examination and counseling on HIV/AIDS issues. The Republic of Belarus has been recognized by the Global Evaluation Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Diseases as a country where the problem of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis has been eliminated. In Belarus, almost 100% of births occur with qualified obstetric care.

Maternity hospitals operate on a rooming-in system for mother and child, and breastfeeding principles are supported. The survival rate of children born with extremely low birth weight during the first year of life exceeds 80%.

All of this contributes to the preservation of the reproductive health of the population, the stabilization of demographic indicators, and the strengthening of the institution of the family. It is difficult to underestimate the role of the family in society and for each of us. It is in the family that the foundation of each person's personality is laid. It is in the Family that a child reveals their innate potential, determines their place in life, and learns goodness, justice, and creation. There is no stronger union on earth than a happy and friendly Family. It is the beginning of a new life, the continuation of a beautiful lineage, and the reverence for the sanctity of traditions. Family is the greatest happiness that a person can create themselves. On this day, let each of us remember our relatives and loved ones, call them, write to them, congratulate them, and rejoice in the treasure they possess. Cherish your families! Give them joy and warmth!

Chief freelance specialist in obstetrics and gynecology

of the main department for healthcare of the Vitebsk

Regional Executive Committee

N.O. Katushenko