UNICEF and employers roll out parenting training program “Nobody’s Perfect” in the workplace

Being a parent is the most important and exciting job in the world. But many working mothers and fathers don’t have enough time, parenting knowledge and skills they need to raise happy and healthy children. UNICEF has worked with employers to enable a family-friendly workplace environment and support working parents to give their children the best start in life.

To generate benefits for children of working parents and at the same time bring real benefits for business, UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and Vietnam Chambers of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) organized a training of facilitators to roll out the “Nobody’s Perfect” parenting training in the workplace for parents/caregivers of children under 8 years old.

Early childhood, which spans the period up to 8 years of age, is critical for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of the child. Optimal brain development requires a stimulating environment, adequate nutrients and social interaction with attentive caregivers.

On the other hand, unsafe conditions, violence, negative interactions and lack of learning opportunities during these early years can lead to irreversible outcomes, which can affect a child’s potential for the remainder of his or her life. Therefore, it is critical that working mothers and fathers get the support they need to raise children to their full potential.

“A number of surveys from UNICEF, ILO and IFC have proven that supporting childcare responsibilities of employees is key to improve recruitment, retention, and employee productivity. In addition, such family-friendly policies have been found to improve company’s reputation, brand value and image, as well as harmonize the relationship between employers and employees”, said Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Secretary General of VCCI.

During 5-9 April 2021, 20 facilitators from companies, business consulting and NGOs have been trained and 7 companies have committed to roll out the training for their employees.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh, Manager of Health, Safety Environment and Compliance Department at Starprint Viet Nam, one of the participating companies shared that the parenting skill training program will benefit both employees and the company. “Our company has about 800 workers, of whom 70 to 80% have small children. I have received strong support from the company’s Management Board to participate in this program, which I find the knowledge and skills very relevant to the workers’ interest. Besides, the facilitation techniques and methodology from the training are very useful for me to adapt in other training program for employees”, said Mr. Lanh.

Before being scaled through this training, the program has been well implemented in Pouchen factory in Dong Nai and the Little Sun Kindergarten of Pouyuen Vietnam. Feedback from Pouchen’s employees was really encouraging. They have become more confident in parenting and related stress-management skills.

"I found myself changing my behavior. When I play with my children, I try to understand them better. My children love it, and my wife was pleasantly surprised to see the change in me. I hope my colleagues will take this program, to understand the power of caring and sharing, to understand their children and family better. I am grateful for the knowledge I have obtained in the course", a working father from Pouchen commented.

Looking after the children is one of the working parents’ major challenges. The program aims to increase parents’ understanding of children’s health, safety and behaviors, improve their self-esteem, coping skills and mutual support and prevent family violence.

“As a trainer, I am so happy to see this training program scaled up with employers to build working parent’s confidence on positive parenting skills. With such knowledge, working parents will be less worried about the health and well-being of their children, thus can better contribute to develop their companies. I am also impressed with the strong commitment from participants.  They have recognized the value of the program and actively planned to roll it out for the benefit of their employees and children”, said Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Mai, Master Trainer of this facilitator training.  

With happy and healthy children, working parents as employees can work with their employers to create a stable, inclusive and productive working environment benefitting all.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted family life around the world. School closures, working remote, physical distancing — it's a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents. Together with experts, we have developed parenting tips in the context of COVID-19 and are working with MOLISA to develop the parenting app”, said Ms. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Viet Nam Representative.

UNICEF will continue collaborating with VCCI and MOLISA not to just scale this program but to bring more capacity building programs for businesses in Vietnam so they can respect and support children’s rights through Children’s Rights and Business Principles.