On the International Day of Families, the voices of young people in BiH are sending a clear message that equal parenting is not just an ideal, it should be a reality. As part of the training on “Parenting and Roles”, held in Doboj on May 12-13, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the non-governmental organization Perpetuum mobile, young people from across Bosnia and Herzegovina shared their views on equal parenting and the role that all parents, men and women, should take in raising their children.

Nikolina Latinović, a 21-year-old student from Banja Luka, believes that it is important to free parenting from stereotypes: “A father must be a partner, a role model and support from day one. This is exactly why young men deserve space to learn, ask questions and feel safe in their desire to be gentle and responsible fathers”.

Njegoš Lučić, a 19-year-old activist from Teslić, adds: “My goal is to encourage young men to be more actively involved in family roles and to recognize the value of equal partnership in parenting”. Traditional gender roles often shape everyday life and make it difficult to balance professional work and parenting responsibilities, especially for women. That is why it is crucial to encourage men to take a more active role.

“Sometimes we forget how important it is for fathers to take responsibility”, says Tatjana Mikić, a teacher from Brčko. “At parent-teacher meetings, I can emphasize how solidarity and mutual support in the family lead to a healthier upbringing of children."

Mirnes Duratović, a 19-year-old student from Prijedor, believes that education brings long-term changes in society: “Projects like this help young people recognize the importance of equal parenting, which contributes to building a community based on equality and mutual support”.

Manuela Blagojević, an 18-year-old activist from Teslić, shares a similar opinion, emphasizing the importance of educating young people about the role of fathers: “Education about equal parenting is crucial. We need to teach young people, that a father is equally important in raising children, that he is not just a 'provider', but a partner in all aspects of parenting”.

Every year May 15th is a time to remember and celebrate the key role of family in society, but also an opportunity to highlight the challenges that families in BiH experience every day.

18-year-old Anđela Stanojević from Prijedor ends with a clear message: “Parenting is not only a woman's responsibility. Men should be equally involved, and it is not a taboo. Young men must understand how important it is to be a responsible father”.

The training in Doboj was a part of UNFPA’s ongoing work in BiH to make it easier for parents to archive work life balance. UNFPA advocates for increasing access to paid parental leave and affordable quality child care as key components to improving the living conditions of families in BiH. These measures contribute to work-life balance, especially for women, creating the foundation for a more equal society. UNFPA works on this issue through various initiatives within the programme "Expanding Choices Through Family-friendly Policies", supported by the Austrian Development Agency.