National Fathers’ Day: Equal Rights and Choices in Moldova

Father’s Day will be celebrated annually in the Republic of Moldova on the last Sunday of June. Established at the initiative of the Women MPs Platform in Parliament, this celebration highlights the importance of fathers’ involvement in raising and caring for children, and promotes equal roles between women and men, mothers and fathers, both in the family and in society.

The first national Father’s Day celebration took place on 29 June 2025, during the public event “Active Fathers – Equal Partners in Raising Children,” held in front of the Parliament. The event brought together fathers and mothers with their children, government representatives, and development partners.

The special guest was the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, who emphasized that “a child can truly be happy when both the mother and the father make time to be with them, to care for them, to play and enjoy life together,” thus highlighting the importance of fathers’ equal involvement in family life.

According to studies, active involvement of fathers in raising and caring for children improves academic performance, reduces negative behaviors, and contributes to gender equality.

Doina Gherman, Chair of the Women MPs Platform and the initiator of Father’s Day in the Republic of Moldova, emphasized: “Establishing the National Father’s Day is an important step in recognizing the essential role of fathers in the family and in society. This day is not only a symbolic gesture, but also an educational and policy tool that encourages fathers’ involvement and contributes to a more equitable and harmonious society.”

The event “Active Fathers – Equal Partners in Raising Children” promoted several initiatives that support positive social norms and gender balance in the Republic of Moldova.

The Fathers’ Club is an initiative launched by UNFPA under the #EU4GenderEquality programme and implemented by the Child Rights Information and Documentation Centre (CIDDC). To date, 28 Fathers’ Clubs have been established, providing a platform for dialogue and learning for fathers who want to be more actively involved in their children’s lives.

“For me, being a father means truly being present – to laugh, to listen, to be there for the little moments that matter most. I’ve learned that love and time spent together are the greatest gifts I can offer my children,” said Alexei, a member of the Fathers’ Club who attended the event.

Family-friendly workplace policies represent another significant achievement in recent years. With the support of UNFPA and Austria, several companies from both the public and private sectors have established childcare spaces, making it easier for parents to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. At the legislative level, important measures have been implemented, including:

• Shared parental leave between both parents, among others.
• Extension of paternity leave to 15 days;
• The possibility to work and earn income during maternity leave;
• Introduction of flexible working hours for parents with children;

“All these initiatives reflect the Republic of Moldova’s strong commitment to creating a family-friendly environment for young families—one that is based on rights, equal opportunities, and that responds to the real needs of today’s parents. The State of World Population 2025 report, launched by UNFPA, shows that such policies help people realize their reproductive aspirations, including the desire to have more children. In the long term, this leads to a more demographically resilient society,” noted Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Representative in the Republic of Moldova.

The event dedicated to the National Father’s Day was organized by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), within the framework of the regional programme EU4GenderEquality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence (Phase II), funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by UN Women and UNFPA, in partnership with UNICEF, ILO, CIDDC, and the Moldcell Foundation.