Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) - Measures to support motherhood and childhood have yielded results in Belarus, Belarus’ Vice Premier Natalia Kochanova told reporters, BelTA has learned.

On 17 October Minsk played host to a ceremony to honor the women who gave birth in 2016.

“Mother's Day has a special place in the calendar of professional holidays. To give birth and raise a child is hard work that needs to be recognized. It is important that the programs adopted in Belarus to support motherhood and childhood have yielded results,” Natalia Kochanova said.

In 2015 there were 119,000 new borns in Belarus, a record in the history of sovereign Belarus. The growth trend remains this year. In January-August the birthrate was 1,300 babies higher than in the same period of last year.

The number of large families has increased to 83,000 in Belarus. Over 50% of newborns are second and subsequent children in their families. Back in 2009 there were only 62,000 large families in Belarus.

Natalia Kochanova noted that Belarus has taken measures to ensure demographic security. “The support which is provided today is significant. But there is no limit to perfection. Given a chance, we will look for new options of assistance for families with children,” Natalia Kochanova noted.

She expressed admiration for Belarusian women who successfully combine family and work, who are engaged in social activities.

Every year the number of large families increases by an average of 1,000 in Minsk, informed the labor, employment and social security committee of Minsk City Hall. Today there are 11,886 such families in the Belarusian capital. Most of them (over 10,200) have three children, 1,267 families have four, and 366 five or more children. Every Minsk child enjoys children's allowances and other programs of social support in one form or another. Depending on age, children are entitled to free medicines and baby food, school meals, public transport fares, annual trips to camps and health resorts, free babysitting services.