This Friday, 26 September, the Ministry of Welfare invites every resident of Latvia to take part in the social campaign “Mismatched Shoes Day”. By wearing mismatched shoes – one from each pair – every resident can publicly show support for people with functional disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities. The aim of “Mismatched Shoes Day” is to support diversity, promote an inclusive attitude, and create an environment where everyone feels accepted and valued.
Government institutions, companies, workplaces, organisations, and educational institutions throughout Latvia are invited not only to wear mismatched shoes on this day, but also to initiate and organise different activities – for example, an open-door day, a masterclass, an afternoon discussion, or other events that strengthen understanding of diversity and cooperation – and to share them on social media with the hashtag #IekāpOtraKurpēs (“Step into Another’s Shoes”).
How can everyone participate in “Mismatched Shoes Day”?
On 26 September, wear mismatched shoes – one different shoe on each foot!
Share photos and/or videos on social media with the hashtag #IekāpOtraKurpēs so the message reaches as many people as possible.
Use this day as an opportunity to talk with your children, family, colleagues, or friends about empathy, acceptance, and the importance of diversity.
If possible, collaborate with nearby social service providers – day centres, NGOs, or organisations – and organise joint activities, masterclasses, or meetings. The register of social service providers is available here: https://vspmis.lm.gov.lv/public/publicetspakalpojums
Use the campaign’s visual materials in your channels and workplaces – they are available here: https://ej.uz/dazadokurpjudiena2025
The social campaign “Step into Another’s Shoes” was launched by the Ministry of Welfare in 2023 with the aim of reducing the strong prejudices that exist in society and normalising the fact that people with functional and psychosocial disabilities are part of the community. A survey* shows that compared to 2022, in 2023 significantly more residents of Latvia agreed that society must be much more tolerant towards people with psychosocial disabilities (90% in 2022, 95% in 2023).
* The sociological survey “Public awareness and understanding of the deinstitutionalisation process” was commissioned by the Ministry of Welfare and carried out by the research and consulting company Kantar in December 2023 – January 2024, surveying 1,016 residents of Latvia aged 18–74.
