System to support motherhood, childhood to get better in Belarus
15.09.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – Family support and youth policy are among the priority areas in the work of the Council of the Republic. Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova made the statement during the first meeting of the fifth session of the eighth-convocation Council of the Republic, BelTA has learned.
Support for families
“Traditional spiritual and moral values form the basis of any strong state. The family remains a subject of special care of the Belarusian state while demography is one of the key priorities of social policy and national security. While moral ideals are getting devalued in the Western society and attempts are being made to force the stereotypes that are foreign to our mentality, Belarus remains committed to its own traditions. In our country, support for families has always been an unconditional priority. In accordance with instructions of the head of state, the parliament together with the government will have to improve the system of support for motherhood and childhood, in particular, to define new approaches to paying benefits for taking care of children under three years of age. For the sake of a comprehensive discussion of this matter, we plan to hold an offsite seminar in Volozhin. The results will be used to work out practical recommendations,” Natalya Kochanova said.
The year 2026 has been declared the Year of the Belarusian Woman. “This wise decision of the president has a special meaning. Traditionally, the role of a woman is closely linked to family and child-rearing. In the Year of the Belarusian Woman, the Council of the Republic proposed a number of initiatives aimed at forming a culture of family values and strengthening the role of motherhood. Together with the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, a digital platform ‘Facing history: Women’s path of Belarus’ has been launched. The resource consolidates materials from all regions and keeps a digital chronicle about Belarusian women who have made a special contribution to the establishment and prosperity of the sovereign state. The platform contributes to the education of Belarusian young people by leveraging exemplary models of selfless service to the country,” the chairwoman of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament noted.
For women who find themselves in a complicated life situation, the Council of the Republic’s project Helping Hand is being implemented. Assistance is provided to specific women: assistance with employment, medical care, and family reunion.
During the family forum “Conversation about important things: Happy family – strong state”, conducted by the Council of the Republic together with the Belarusian Orthodox Church in Polotsk, the topic of morality, moral values, spirituality, and family traditions will be discussed for the fourth time. This year the event has gone international and the geography of participants has expanded: parliamentarians from other countries who share key principles and views on family creation and child-rearing are invited to an open dialogue.
“Today when the Western community has been undergoing genuine substitution of the concepts of morality and ethics for a long time, promoting the institution of family is vital as never before. The information space encourages young people to refuse responsibility, the desire to create and preserve a family, and promotes the childfree principle. The ideas of a ‘free’ life, ‘free’ love, egocentrism, and concentration on oneself, caring only about one’s own good, are only part of the challenges that modern young people have to face. Youth policy has always been and will remain a priority of our state. A young generation that is not indifferent and that is invested in the fate of the country is a reliable pillar of statehood. The energy of young people should be channeled into a constructive direction. Young people must actively participate in all spheres of life of society and make a significant contribution to the development of the country. Passing on the love for the native land, the desire to make Belarus more beautiful and better is our sacred duty,” Natalya Kochanova stressed.
Youth policy
Members of the Council of the Republic actively interact with young people. “Meetings are held on a constant basis where guys voice many interesting initiatives capable of uniting the society. And we need to take them into account in our legislative activities. At the end of October, the current Youth Council concludes its work. I will not hide the fact that it’s been a pleasure for us to work with these guys. The two-year period turned out to be very intense and productive. I would like to note the high involvement of members of the Youth Council in events conducted by the Council of the Republic. We see with what interest they take part in session meetings, expanded meetings of the Presidium, consultations on personal matters, and many other events,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic pointed out.
The Youth Council has initiated a number of projects aimed at preserving historical memory and truth about the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, at combating the prevention of the rehabilitation of Nazism, at developing leadership qualities in young people, and at countering illegal drug trafficking. “This is good personnel potential for our regions and the country as a whole. I am confident that the guys will pass on their experience to those who will replace them. Following the principle of continuity, the most active representatives of this convocation should continue their work in the new composition,” Natalya Kochanova added.
Traditionally, the focus of attention of the Council of the Republic will be on matters concerning the youth agenda, including the implementation of such iconic projects as Train of Memory, Code of the Unconquered, the Youth Military-Patriotic Forum, and Children of the Commonwealth, which contribute to cohesion and military-patriotic education of young people. “We have to do everything so that young people implement their ideas and dreams in their Motherland. Trust in young people and support for their initiatives is a good indicator of the maturity of our society. The highest wisdom of the government lies in not simply building a future for young people, but creating it together with them. I call on all members of the Council of the Republic to conduct an open and honest dialogue with young people, paying special attention to the formation of an active civic stance, strengthening traditional spiritual and moral values, the prestige of the family, and discussing legislative initiatives,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic said.
Interaction with mass media
In conditions of external pressure, information wars, and attempts to discredit state institutions, interaction with mass media occupies a special place in the work of the Council of the Republic. “There is no calm in the information field: if we do not convey the truth about the real state of affairs and the logic of administrative decisions, this vacuum is instantly filled with falsifications. Timely and clear comments of parliamentarians in mass media destroy stereotypes, curb the spread of fakes, and protect the national interests of the country on the information front. This is a direct duty of every member of the Council of the Republic. Our main tool for this work is state-run mass media. It is necessary to fully use the potential of the national and local press, television channels, and digital resources to broadcast current social and economic matters. By participating in broadcasts, by publishing articles and giving comments, we set the tone for discussing the most important state initiatives,” Natalya Kochanova noted.
She called on members of the Council of the Republic to work actively in the mass media space: to clarify innovations in legislation on a constant basis, to firmly defend values, historical truth, and the national interests of Belarus. In her words, an active presence in the mass media field makes it possible to shift the focus of public attention from destructive criticism to a constructive search for solutions and the promotion of a fair agenda.
“Thirty years ago our predecessors undertook the responsibility for the fate of the country in a complicated time. In record short terms by historical standards, while overcoming many trials, our sovereign independent state was built. A country for a worthy present and a prosperous, safe, comfortable future. A peaceful and constructive Belarus is a bastion of tranquility and stability. This is worth a lot. Today the fate of the state is entrusted to all of us. And we are obliged to justify the trust of the Belarusian people. Our choice is unchangeable: sovereignty, security, and peace in native land, uniting forces for the sake of common development goals,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic concluded.
Support for families
“Traditional spiritual and moral values form the basis of any strong state. The family remains a subject of special care of the Belarusian state while demography is one of the key priorities of social policy and national security. While moral ideals are getting devalued in the Western society and attempts are being made to force the stereotypes that are foreign to our mentality, Belarus remains committed to its own traditions. In our country, support for families has always been an unconditional priority. In accordance with instructions of the head of state, the parliament together with the government will have to improve the system of support for motherhood and childhood, in particular, to define new approaches to paying benefits for taking care of children under three years of age. For the sake of a comprehensive discussion of this matter, we plan to hold an offsite seminar in Volozhin. The results will be used to work out practical recommendations,” Natalya Kochanova said.
The year 2026 has been declared the Year of the Belarusian Woman. “This wise decision of the president has a special meaning. Traditionally, the role of a woman is closely linked to family and child-rearing. In the Year of the Belarusian Woman, the Council of the Republic proposed a number of initiatives aimed at forming a culture of family values and strengthening the role of motherhood. Together with the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, a digital platform ‘Facing history: Women’s path of Belarus’ has been launched. The resource consolidates materials from all regions and keeps a digital chronicle about Belarusian women who have made a special contribution to the establishment and prosperity of the sovereign state. The platform contributes to the education of Belarusian young people by leveraging exemplary models of selfless service to the country,” the chairwoman of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament noted.
For women who find themselves in a complicated life situation, the Council of the Republic’s project Helping Hand is being implemented. Assistance is provided to specific women: assistance with employment, medical care, and family reunion.
During the family forum “Conversation about important things: Happy family – strong state”, conducted by the Council of the Republic together with the Belarusian Orthodox Church in Polotsk, the topic of morality, moral values, spirituality, and family traditions will be discussed for the fourth time. This year the event has gone international and the geography of participants has expanded: parliamentarians from other countries who share key principles and views on family creation and child-rearing are invited to an open dialogue.
“Today when the Western community has been undergoing genuine substitution of the concepts of morality and ethics for a long time, promoting the institution of family is vital as never before. The information space encourages young people to refuse responsibility, the desire to create and preserve a family, and promotes the childfree principle. The ideas of a ‘free’ life, ‘free’ love, egocentrism, and concentration on oneself, caring only about one’s own good, are only part of the challenges that modern young people have to face. Youth policy has always been and will remain a priority of our state. A young generation that is not indifferent and that is invested in the fate of the country is a reliable pillar of statehood. The energy of young people should be channeled into a constructive direction. Young people must actively participate in all spheres of life of society and make a significant contribution to the development of the country. Passing on the love for the native land, the desire to make Belarus more beautiful and better is our sacred duty,” Natalya Kochanova stressed.
Youth policy
Members of the Council of the Republic actively interact with young people. “Meetings are held on a constant basis where guys voice many interesting initiatives capable of uniting the society. And we need to take them into account in our legislative activities. At the end of October, the current Youth Council concludes its work. I will not hide the fact that it’s been a pleasure for us to work with these guys. The two-year period turned out to be very intense and productive. I would like to note the high involvement of members of the Youth Council in events conducted by the Council of the Republic. We see with what interest they take part in session meetings, expanded meetings of the Presidium, consultations on personal matters, and many other events,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic pointed out.
The Youth Council has initiated a number of projects aimed at preserving historical memory and truth about the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, at combating the prevention of the rehabilitation of Nazism, at developing leadership qualities in young people, and at countering illegal drug trafficking. “This is good personnel potential for our regions and the country as a whole. I am confident that the guys will pass on their experience to those who will replace them. Following the principle of continuity, the most active representatives of this convocation should continue their work in the new composition,” Natalya Kochanova added.
Traditionally, the focus of attention of the Council of the Republic will be on matters concerning the youth agenda, including the implementation of such iconic projects as Train of Memory, Code of the Unconquered, the Youth Military-Patriotic Forum, and Children of the Commonwealth, which contribute to cohesion and military-patriotic education of young people. “We have to do everything so that young people implement their ideas and dreams in their Motherland. Trust in young people and support for their initiatives is a good indicator of the maturity of our society. The highest wisdom of the government lies in not simply building a future for young people, but creating it together with them. I call on all members of the Council of the Republic to conduct an open and honest dialogue with young people, paying special attention to the formation of an active civic stance, strengthening traditional spiritual and moral values, the prestige of the family, and discussing legislative initiatives,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic said.
Interaction with mass media
In conditions of external pressure, information wars, and attempts to discredit state institutions, interaction with mass media occupies a special place in the work of the Council of the Republic. “There is no calm in the information field: if we do not convey the truth about the real state of affairs and the logic of administrative decisions, this vacuum is instantly filled with falsifications. Timely and clear comments of parliamentarians in mass media destroy stereotypes, curb the spread of fakes, and protect the national interests of the country on the information front. This is a direct duty of every member of the Council of the Republic. Our main tool for this work is state-run mass media. It is necessary to fully use the potential of the national and local press, television channels, and digital resources to broadcast current social and economic matters. By participating in broadcasts, by publishing articles and giving comments, we set the tone for discussing the most important state initiatives,” Natalya Kochanova noted.
She called on members of the Council of the Republic to work actively in the mass media space: to clarify innovations in legislation on a constant basis, to firmly defend values, historical truth, and the national interests of Belarus. In her words, an active presence in the mass media field makes it possible to shift the focus of public attention from destructive criticism to a constructive search for solutions and the promotion of a fair agenda.
“Thirty years ago our predecessors undertook the responsibility for the fate of the country in a complicated time. In record short terms by historical standards, while overcoming many trials, our sovereign independent state was built. A country for a worthy present and a prosperous, safe, comfortable future. A peaceful and constructive Belarus is a bastion of tranquility and stability. This is worth a lot. Today the fate of the state is entrusted to all of us. And we are obliged to justify the trust of the Belarusian people. Our choice is unchangeable: sovereignty, security, and peace in native land, uniting forces for the sake of common development goals,” the chairwoman of the Council of the Republic concluded.