The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) actively participates in the event dedicated to National Fathers’ Day, organized on June 29, 2025, for the first time in the Republic of Moldova, in the Parliament Square. The event, titled “Active Fathers – Equal Partners in Raising Children”, was held in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, including CNSM.

CNSM’s participation, in partnership with the International Labour Organization, alongside members of the Women’s Commission and the Youth Commission, reflects the Moldovan trade union movement’s commitment to promoting gender equality, work-life balance, and every worker’s right to fulfill family responsibilities without constraint.

In his speech, CNSM President Igor Zubcu highlighted the importance of fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives and the need for public policies that support this role. According to the union leader, international labor standards – especially the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 156- support the right of both women and men with family responsibilities to have equal opportunities in the labor market. Paternity leave, flexible working hours, access to care services, and a family-friendly organizational culture are all key conditions that allow fathers to be present and engaged in their children’s lives.

“Today, trade unions no longer talk only about wages and social protection. We talk about every person’s right to live with dignity, to be a present parent, and to actively contribute to family life without fear of losing their job,” said the CNSM President.

“I speak today not only as the President of CNSM but also as the father of a daughter. I know how valuable the time spent with a child is, how important it is to be present – not just physically, but truly involved. And I know we cannot build a fair society without giving fathers a real chance to be part of their children’s everyday lives. Let us stand united in the effort to create public policies, institutional practices, and social norms that allow fathers in the Republic of Moldova to be what their children need: present, involved, and supported,” added Igor Zubcu.

ILO Convention No. 156, actively promoted by CNSM, highlights the need for labor legislation and employer policies to take into account the realities of modern families, where both parents must be supported in their parenting roles. Trade unions in Moldova advocate for the ratification and implementation of this international instrument as part of a broader vision of protecting employees’ rights and developing a fair society.

The event dedicated to National Fathers’ Day is not just a celebration – it is a collective call for social responsibility, solidarity, and progress. CNSM urges public authorities, employers, and society as a whole to support initiatives that encourage fathers’ involvement, thereby building a balanced, inclusive family model based on real partnership between parents.

Everyone who came to Parliament Square to celebrate National Fathers’ Day enjoyed interactive activities for parents and children, exhibitions, workshops, music, symbolic prizes, and a joyful atmosphere.

Starting this year, the Republic of Moldova will celebrate National Fathers’ Day on the last Sunday of June. The Parliament established this holiday during its plenary session on June 26, 2025, to recognize and celebrate the essential role of fathers in their children’s lives and in family well-being.

The holiday aims to promote the active and responsible involvement of men in the upbringing and education of children, as well as in the equitable sharing of household responsibilities. At the same time, the initiative seeks to help shift mindsets around family responsibilities, encouraging a model of active and egalitarian fatherhood for the benefit of society as a whole.

Statistical data shows that over the past ten years, Moldova has made significant progress in fathers’ involvement in family life. The percentage of fathers who actively participate in raising and educating children increased from 55% in 2014 to 68% in 2024. Additionally, the percentage of men who believe household chores should be shared equally rose from 30% to 55%, and the number of fathers caring for sick children has doubled over the last decade, reaching 33%.