On May 14, UNICEF and Republic Bank announced the official launch of a groundbreaking Workplace Parenting Programme in Suriname, an initiative tailored to strengthen caregiver skills and support the critical early developmental stages of young children across the country. Targeted specifically at working parents raising children between the ages of 2 and 4, a window widely recognized as the most formative period for long-term cognitive and social growth, the program fills a key gap in accessible, convenient parenting support for employed caregivers.
The core mission of the partnership is to equip working parents with practical tools and evidence-based knowledge to actively nurture their children’s learning and growth during these critical early years. Unlike many parenting support programs that require parents to travel outside work hours, this initiative brings training directly to the workplace, making participation accessible for employed caregivers who often struggle to balance work and family responsibilities.
In the first rollout of the program, employees from a diverse mix of public and private entities will participate in an 8-week on-site training course. Participating organizations span multiple sectors of Suriname’s economy and public services, including the Fernandes Group, Assuria, Rudisa Group, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, and the Academic Hospital Paramaribo.
To reinforce learning and extend support beyond in-person sessions, all participating parents will gain access to a curated library of 15 instructional videos that can be accessed from home. This hybrid model allows caregivers to review key concepts and practice new parenting techniques on their own time, ensuring the skills learned during training translate to real-world family life.
Representatives from the Fernandes Group, one of the first participating organizations, noted that the program aligns perfectly with the company’s corporate social responsibility goals. “By giving our employees the opportunity to join this initiative, we are not only supporting our workforce but investing in stronger families and better developmental outcomes for the next generation of Suriname,” the representative said.
The new Workplace Parenting Programme is part of a broader strategic partnership between UNICEF and Republic Bank, focused on advancing child-friendly workplaces and expanding robust support systems for families across Suriname. Program organizers emphasize that cross-sector collaboration between public institutions and private enterprises is essential to driving sustainable development that centers the needs of children and families, creating long-term benefits for communities across the nation.