In Talas, on April 22, a round table meeting took place to discuss questions regarding the implementation of functional education measures of the National Action Plan on Achieving Gender Equality 2012-2014 (NAP).

The round table was organized by the Talas Oblast Administration in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Kyrgyzstan.

This NAP is focused on functional education in the field of competent parenting and reproductive health, and it imposes a high level of responsibility on state and local governments to implement the pilot programs, study and analyze the problem, and develop training modules. At the round table, there was a discussion on the results of a study on the involvement of men in family planning, maternal and reproductive health, parenting and domestic violence. Research carried out in the cities of Bishkek and Talas, in the Chui and Talas oblasts has exposed the fact that men are rather uninvolved in the issues of family planning and choices regarding contraceptive methods. Their awareness about care for pregnant spouses, neonatal care and raising children are grossly insufficient.

Issues related to male reproductive health were also discussed, including male infertility, and the irresponsible attitude of men towards their own health and their risky sexual behavior resulting in pregnant wives having intrauterine infections that lead to a variety of congenital defects in newborns. The participants paid particular attention to the fact that there has been a transformation of family relationships, characterized by a decrease in the role of parents in educating their children and shaping them as individuals. Cases where parents, especially fathers, are good role models for their children are few and far between. Among the issues discussed was also the problem of more and more children been raised without fathers; and for that reason, fewer children having a chance to take any experience, with which they can relate to their own expectations and practices of men in the family.

The resolution of these problems unequivocally requires the dedicated involvement of a wide range of structures concerned. Therefore, plans have been developed for 2014 with the participation of representatives of the Talas Oblast Administration, Deputy Akims, representatives of the Family and Child Support Department, those involved in general and vocational education and health care systems, the heads of village governments and representatives of public and international organizations. The plans include capacity building for specialists in the area of health care and education, and raising public awareness of the importance of participation and involvement by men in raising children, and the promotion of a responsible attitude by men toward their own reproductive health as future fathers.