Press release: Half of all fathers consider parental leave, thanks to the campaign

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health promotes family equality

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health started an information campaign about family leaves in the beginning of year 2007. The campaign will last until the end of year 2007.

Main purpose of the campaign is to promote equality between sexes in working life and education by increasing the amount of family leaves taken by fathers. Labour market organizations are participating in the campaign. Information campaign is financed by the European Social Fund (ESF).

The campaign uses television spots, radio spots, direct mail and telephone campaigns addressed to fathers themselves, mothers and work organisations to spread information on maternity, paternity and family leaves.

Campaign has gained positive attention
The campaign has been widely noticed. According to the family leave research conducted by TNS Gallup, over 65 % of target group's new fathers told they had seen campaign's advertisements in TV. 51 % had noticed the campaign in newspapers or magazines. Almost all (98 %) said they now have a more positive attitude towards father's family leaves than before the campaign started. TNS Gallup interviewed 200 fathers of babies between 1,5 and 4 months old.

Organizations representatives also have a very positive attitude towards family leaves taken by fathers. Eight out of ten people who answered to the organization research said that father's family leave is an approved matter in their organization.