MINSK, 1 June (BelTA) - International Children’s Day is celebrated in Belarus, along with many other countries, on the first day of summer. Established in 1949, this holiday serves as a reminder that childhood must be safe, joyful, and filled with care.
In Belarus, child protection is a top government priority. The country has built a comprehensive system of social support for families with children, and government assistance is provided at virtually every stage: from a child’s birth to adulthood. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “If a child smiles, it means the state exists and society is healthy.” And for that smile, Belarus does a great deal. The state guarantees free healthcare and education, from kindergarten to university. Families with children receive allowances and targeted assistance, while large families are eligible for family capital.
A great deal of attention is given to creating a supportive and enriching environment for the development of a well-rounded personality. Preschools and schools, centers for children’s creativity, music and sports schools all work to ensure children’s comprehensive development. A wide range of programs is aimed at identifying and supporting talented and gifted children.
Across the country, health resorts and camps operate where children can regain strength, make friends, and discover new interests. Modern playgrounds with safe equipment are being built in courtyards and parks.
Safety is one of the key principles of caring for children. In the digital age, ensuring children’s well-being also includes cybersecurity. Recent amendments to the Law “On the Rights of the Child” have strengthened online protection for minors.
Belarus pays special attention to large families, where today every fourth child in the country is raised. Such families are entitled to various forms of state support, additional guarantees, and benefits.
The country prioritizes family-based forms of upbringing: more than 80% of orphans and children without parental care grow up in foster families or family-type homes.
Belarus has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. Modern perinatal centers operating nationwide help maintain this achievement. This once again underscores that family and children are of great value to the state.
Every year on 1 June, festive events are held throughout Belarus: concerts, contests, exhibitions, charity campaigns, sports competitions, and more. These events are not only entertaining but also socially meaningful. After all, Children’s Day is not just a holiday. It is a reminder to adults that a happy childhood is built on a reliable foundation: the care of the family, the support of the state, and the simple human warmth that every child deserves.