The speaker told members of the parliamentary delegations about the tradition of holding a family forum in Polotsk ahead of Parental Love Week, how it began four years ago and what issues were discussed there with families from all regions of Belarus. This year, the forum is held in an international format for the first time, and guests from various countries will exchange their states’ experience on family legislation and the preservation of traditional family values.
Hijran Kamran qizi Huseynova, Chairwoman of the Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, said that Belarus and her homeland are closely linked by historical ties, and that the two countries have much in common, including their attitude to family values.
«For us, family values and our attitude to children and to women in the family have always been a priority. And the fact that we, the peoples of Azerbaijan and Belarus, have managed to preserve this during the period of independence is very important. We see what is happening in the world — the breakdown of family values, completely grotesque forms of family that are being imposed on us from outside. Our heads of state always say that the ideological war now underway is aimed squarely at the younger generation. That is why we are interested in discussing how to preserve our traditions, in understanding what valuable things are done in legislation in this regard in Belarus and in learning from your experience. Azerbaijan has a strong legislative framework in the family sector, we have adopted many laws in this area and we have positive experience,» the forum participant said.
«The main direction of our state strategy is preserving the fundamental base, which is the family. We greatly value what has been done in your country. I think the demographic problem is relevant both for Belarus and for many other countries. These problems need to be discussed. In our country, continuity between generations is preserved, and every year on the International Day of Families we travel to one of the regions and hold a big celebration there, to show the differences and the traditions that are cherished there and passed on to young people. I think Belarus, too, has regional differences that help reveal all the richness of our people’s heritage,» Hijran Kamran qizi Huseynova noted.
The participants also spoke about how their countries approach demographic issues, the preservation of traditional values and the upbringing of young people. Zhyldyz Kurmanalieva, an MP of the Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan, stressed that in her state, women parliamentarians are initiating the adoption of a law restricting minors’ access to the internet. The matter is still under discussion, but the country clearly understands that the influence of social networks on young minds is very great. The country also pays great attention to the problem of domestic violence. «Previously, psychologists worked only with family abusers, trying to re-educate them, but now work will also be carried out with victims of domestic violence, and they will be given moral support,» she said.
Excursions around Polotsk, its historical sites and the most famous landmarks of the ancient city will be organized for the visiting lawmakers today.
The international forum Talking About What Matters: a Happy Family is a Strong State is held on the initiative of the Council of the Republic and the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
