Lithuanian government urged to strengthen family protections in “Love Will Win” campaign

A public campaign calling for stronger legal protections for all families was held outside the Lithuanian government offices on Friday to mark International Day of Families, LRT reports.

Organised by the Freedom Party, the “Love Will Win” event demanded that Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė’s cabinet take immediate action to ensure equal rights to dignity, security, and well-being for all families in Lithuania.

“We want to remind the government that within the next few months, very simple steps could be taken to make all families better protected and happier,” said Vytautas Mitalas, the party’s leader.

He outlined four key demands: ending the Ministry of Justice’s opposition to legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, guaranteeing access to assisted reproduction for all regardless of marital status, raising the maximum childcare benefit cap under the state social insurance system (Sodra), and strengthening enforcement of child support payments for separated families.

“First, the Ministry of Justice must stop obstructing partnership recognition—it not only fails to act but actively resists and appeals court rulings,” Mitalas said, noting that 24 couples have already secured recognition through litigation, with another 24 cases pending. “Second, assisted reproduction rights should not depend on marital status. Opposing this amid our demographic crisis is not just unwise but absurd, as neighbouring countries have already legalised it.”

On childcare benefits, he argued that raising the current cap—set at twice the average wage—would improve Sodra’s financial balance, while state intervention in unpaid child support cases would relieve custodial parents of the burden of enforcement.

The proposals will be formally submitted to the government, with Mitalas expressing hope for swift implementation. “These are quick, straightforward measures to protect all families,” he said.

International Day of Families has been observed annually on May 15 since its establishment by the UN General Assembly in 1994.