One of the rooms at the Republican Maternity Hospital stands out from the rest: colorful cushions and chairs on the floor, a group of young men engaged in lively conversations. The participants, gathered in a small circle, are learning how to put a diaper on an infant mannequin. They are soon-to-be fathers who take their future role seriously. With the same seriousness, they have joined the newly launched Papa Club, not only to gain practical skills but also to discuss the topics of equality and care division within the family.

The Papa Club, which has brought new energy to the Republican Maternity Hospital, is expanding the reach of a format already beloved by many current and future fathers. Together with a similar club launched at the Ashtarak Medical Center, it joins those already operating in Tavush, Shirak, and Lori as part of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence” programme, funded by the EU and implemented by UNFPA and UN Women.

Among the first participants are Samvel Tadevosyan and Mihran Gabrielian - young men who are not yet married but are convinced that an informed approach to future parenthood should be shaped early. They say the club helps reshape their attitudes, perceptions, and understanding of what it means to be a father.

Samvel Tadevosyan, 26, says he had only heard about the Motherhood Schools operating in maternity hospitals, and it was a pleasant surprise to discover a similar programme for men.

“What I like most is how interactive the sessions are. You don’t just sit and listen. You participate, share your opinion, discuss, and listen to others. You also test and improve your knowledge,” he says.
Samvel notes that although the discussions cover topics familiar to everyone, such as family planning, healthy lifestyle, responsibility, and childcare, they quickly realize that many issues require a deeper understanding and skills.

“There were things I had no idea about. Now I understand much better what proper childcare means, what informed pregnancy planning looks like, and what an active father’s role actually is. My knowledge has grown significantly. For me, this is a real school that will help me become a more responsible parent in the future.”
Mihran Gabrielian, also 26, says the club is both an educational space and a platform for open discussion.
“We talk about things we rarely mention out loud. Sometimes we think we know everything, but we actually don’t, or we simply never talk about it. Here, you feel free to ask questions, to listen, to change,” he says.

Mihran emphasizes that the club is not only for soon-to-be fathers but also for young men who have not yet started a family but want to approach future family life more thoughtfully.

“Creating a family and raising a child isn’t just one person’s responsibility. It must be a partnership for the family to function fully and for difficulties to lessen. We shouldn’t divide things into “a man’s task” and “a woman’s task.” We should try to do as much as possible together.”

He believes gender stereotypes in Armenia are beginning to shift, and “the more people become involved in these clubs and similar platforms, the more aware and informed society will become.”

“It would be beneficial if couples could participate in such sessions together as well, because there are topics they often never discuss. These meetings take place in such an open and relaxed environment that we can talk about anything,” adds Samvel Tadevosyan.

The young men participating in the programme say the clubs help them rethink their perceptions of family, better understand the responsibilities of future parenthood, and realize that the opportunities for men and women should grow side by side, grounded in mutual support.

The Papa Club at the Republican Maternity Hospital is implemented within the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence” programme in cooperation with the Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. The club in Ashtarak is run in partnership with the MOM Centre. The implementing partner of the Papa Clubs operating in Ijevan, Lori, and Tavush is the Youth Initiative Centre NGO. The clubs are based on the Papa School format developed during the programme’s first phase.

This year, the Papa Club initiative has also taken an important step toward inclusivity. Another Papa Club, designed specifically for fathers with disabilities, was launched in partnership with the “Agate” Rights Defense Center for Women With Disabilities NGO. The initiative includes the adaptation of the regional Papa School manual and the training of facilitators, bringing together twenty fathers who now have access to a supportive space for learning and exchange. Participants are also provided with special tools to assist with childcare.

“To take a walk with a child and ensure their safety, we must first feel safe ourselves. If we encounter obstacles, this inevitably creates stress for the child as well. Alongside accessible urban environments, the use of assistive devices is essential to ensure safety. During the workshop, we became familiar with these tools, which I will definitely use while caring for children,” says Patvakan Revazyan, a workshop participant.

This article is produced in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme (phase 2), funded by the European Union, and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UN Women and UNFPA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.