Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Natalya Petkevich outlined the key priorities in addressing the demographic issue in Belarus in the coming years during the session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress on 19 December.
Natalya Petkevich believes that the part of the President’s Address where the head of state emphasized the role of the Belarusian People’s Congress in the state system is extremely important. “The Belarusian People’s Congress is a real manifestation of the balance of the separation of powers. Despite the constitutional principle of separation of powers, where each branch handles its own affairs, this supra-governmental body has been created for strategically vital documents that determine the country’s development. It brings all sides together: it consolidates opinion taking into account all details, the interests of the branches of power and civil society. It adopts the key documents laying the groundwork for the future. Such consolidated consensus and balanced interests alone can provide the stable foundation needed for national equilibrium and a common vision on strategic matters. This is the bedrock for implementing the plan,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
This is an extremely important and correct formulation of the role of such a vital constitutional body, she believes.
The President also focused on the demographic issue in his address. This is also a top priority topic, Natalya Petkevich emphasized. “We witness objective factors common to the whole world: the generation gap, fewer women of childbearing age. The potential for childbirth compared to 5-10 years ago is objectively lower. This situation will last for several years due to the aging of the population. Despite all the digitalization and world development, maintaining demographic balance is an extremely important task,” she said.
At the President’s request, the government pays special attention to this. State programs with revolutionary measures have been developed, with many of them initiated by the head of state. They stimulate the birth rate, modernize support for women, families with children, the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
“Besides material measures, the atmosphere is also important. In childhood, behavioral models are formed through play: one doll - one child, two - two. A person born into a large family sees a cheerful, friendly picture. This is something people don’t pay attention to, but it’s important,” Natalya Petkevich believes. “On billboards, in advertising, we see a mom and dad with one or two children or more. We need to form a culture: a large family (2-3 or more children) is good, and encouraged. This gives a future to the family and the country. This is a moral and ethical aspect.”
According to her, it is also important to create conditions so that a woman is not afraid to give birth. “She should not fall out of the labor system: she can return to her job after maternity leave. We need decent conditions during maternity leave, a smooth transition, the opportunity to combine work and family. There must be a spot for a child in a kindergarten or help with the child to return to work earlier. We need conditions for children’s education, quality healthcare. We are working on every aspect: the government went through every element when developing state programs,” the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.
