Zoom – Register here

Fathers across Southern Europe want to be more involved in caregiving—but many find themselves held back by persistent structural and cultural barriers. A new regional report, the State of South European Fathers (SOSEF), sheds light on this reality, offering compelling insights from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Developed through the EMiNC (Engaging Men in Nurturing Care) Initiative in collaboration with Equimundo, the report explores the gap between men’s willingness to care and the outdated policies, workplace norms, and gender expectations that continue to stand in their way.

This webinar brings together policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors to unpack the report’s findings, reflect on cross-country trends and local dynamics, and chart a path forward. The discussion will explore how to translate growing public support for shared caregiving into concrete policy change and everyday practice.

What to expect:

• A presentation of key findings from the SOSEF survey, highlighting patterns across Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
• A spotlight on persistent barriers—such as limited uptake of paternity leave, high childcare costs, and workplace stigma—and areas in need of urgent attention.
• A dialogue on national and EU-level priorities for promoting father involvement in early childhood care.
• Practical recommendations for advancing gender-equal parenting and better aligning policies with family realities.

Expected outcomes:

• Greater awareness of the SOSEF evidence base and its policy implications.
• Shared understanding of gaps and opportunities in current practice.
• Stronger momentum for national follow-up efforts and advocacy.
• Increased collaboration among EU and regional actors to make engaged fatherhood the norm.

Speakers:

• Tatiana Moura – Principal Researcher, Observatory of Masculinities / CES

• Annina Lubbock – Independent Consultant, Centro per la Salute del Bambino (CSB)

• Giorgio Tamburlini – Pediatrician and Director, Centro per la Salute del Bambino (CSB)

• Heinrich Geldschläger – Psychologist, Psychotherapist, and Founding Member, Conexus

• Nikki van der Gaag – Independent Gender Consultant, Author of State of the World’s Fathers reports, and Senior Fellow, EQUIMUNDO

• Taveeshi Gupta – Senior Researcher, EQUIMUNDO

• Kristina Vlahovicova – Fellow, EQUIMUNDO

• Martino Serapioni – Senior Research Programme Coordinator, European Observatory on Family Policy, COFACE Families Europe

• Ayca Alayli – Junior Programme Manager, ISSA

? Platform: Zoom – Register here