International Day of Families
Saturday marks International Day of Families.
The day first proclaimed by the United Nations
in 1993, provides an opportunity to promote the awareness of issues relating to
families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic
processes affecting families.
This year’s theme is: Families and New Technologies
The Western Cape Social Development MEC, Sharna
Fernandez says her department specifically works with vulnerable or at-risk
families and communities, to provide services that are aimed at building on the
strengths of children, parents, caregivers, families and communities.
“Whilst the family unit remains the most
important institution for a child’s overall development, we are reminded daily
that the very institution that is supposed to be a safe-haven for our children,
can at times become the most unsafe space.’’
“Any
breakdown in a family's functioning and its ability to provide care increases
the vulnerability of its members and the surrounding community. Therefore, we
all have a role to play in helping build families that function well and
communities that care for, protect and develop children appropriately,"
added Fernandez.
PICTURE: World Family OrganizationDone By: Mitchum George
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