The first of its kind State of the World Fathers Report launched in June 2015 in 10 cities around the world, provides a periodic, data-driven snapshot of the state of men’s contributions to parenting and caregiving globally by addressing four issues related to fatherhood: unpaid care work in the home; sexual and reproductive health and rights, and maternal, newborn, and child health; men’s caregiving and violence against children and women; and child development.
Men’s positive involvement in the lives of their partners and children creates a global opportunity for equality, and
it benefits women, children, and men themselves. Engaging men as involved fathers can lead to improved maternal
and child health, stronger and more equitable partner relations, a reduction in violence against women and children, and lifelong benefits for daughters and sons.
Research has shown that men’s involvement as caregivers also has benefits for them: it makes them better fathers, improves their intimate relationships, and enhances their quality of life.
This report is designed to highlight findings and recommendations from the Global Report and highlight existing data and policies from the South eastern Europe /Balkans (Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo). As part of the process we conducted a policy review from the region, focus group with fathers and engaged with policy makers, researchers and NGO professionals to develop key policy recommendations as
part of the first regional conference on fatherhood and care giving organized in Sarajevo from November 11-13th , 2015.
As a result of this conference, many government policy makers involved in gender equality have made commitments to include some of the recommendations on gender equitable fatherhood and care giving into existing or new strategies being developed. The sustainable development goals (SDG’s) provide a level of support
and accountability for policy makers to come together with researchers and gender justice activists to address gender equality, violence against women and children through the development of policies that enhance human rights and the wellbeing of families.
The report utilizes two main methods of assessing the state of fatherhood in the Balkans. It uses secondary data such as policies, reports of state organs and legislative documents among other. It also utilizes focus group discussions with active and engaged fathers.
You can find the full report on the State of the World's Fathers here