Government lists challenges threatening families in Kenya!
The directorate has launched a parenting manual,to train and support parents in taking care of their families-
Marking the International Family day/Photo lloyd Ayago
By lloyd Ayago
Religious extremism such as the Shakahola Massacre, gender-based violence, and intimate partner violence, violence against children, elderly abuse, homicides and drug abuse are among pressing challenges threatening the family unit.
The directorate of Social Development under the State department of social protection and senior citizens affairs has noted the need to create awareness on the various issues and factors affecting this critical unit of the society.
On May 15th stakeholders in Uasin Gishu County led by the directorate marked The International day of the families with a view to rally a multi-sectoral approach in addressing the emerging challenges that continue to threaten families.
The event that was marked at Kapsoya ,Ainabkoi Constituency under the theme of Demographic changes and families well being observed that Sexual and gender based violence and even drug and substance abuse remain some of the greatest threats to many families.
While addressing the Nation , Florence Bore The Cabinet Secretary for labor and social Protection affirmed the latest events of Religious extremism that have led to deaths of innocent children have added to the long list of issues affecting families which also encompass gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, violence against children, elderly abuse, homicides, drug abuse, challenges associated with raising children in digital age among other contemporary concerns in the families.
“The drivers contributing to these include; socio-economic, socio-cultural and health related factors among others, Family interventions are remarkably required to ensure that families remain cohesive.” Opined The Cabinet Minister.
Judith Barasa, Deputy County Coordinator, Directorate of Social Development, Uasin Gishu County has said parents will be trained on how to take care of their families amidst the pressing challenges,
“The directorate has launched a parenting manual, it is a national positive parenting manual to train and support our parents in taking care of our families because of the challenges that we currently face “She noted
The structures of families having undergone a lot of change because of the fertility and mortality patterns, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr.Eddyson Nyale has encouraged families especially those living in urban areas to continue bearing children.
The Government has since developed a National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection whose goal is to provide an environment that recognizes and facilitates family well-being, social order and empowers families to participate in the socio-economic development of the country.
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