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 Organization

 

Done By: Mitchum George