(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/nigeria-flag-300x192.jpg) As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2013 International Day of Families 15th May, the Federal Government has re-affirmed its commitment to support and strengthen Nigeria family units to enable them play the roles ascribed to them by the society, especially at this time of socio-economic changes and security challenges.
In a statement to mark the day in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, observed that the rise in social exclusion in the family is increasingly posing serious challenges to the ability of the family to fulfil its basic functions of reproduction, socialization, as well as the needs of family members regarding physical and emotional care and personal development.
She said, "Discrimination and unequal access to social services deprive families of the opportunity to plan a better future for their children."
The Minister pointed out that even more alarming is the fact that poverty continues to claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year in childbirth; adding that most acts of violence and destruction of lives and property in the country were as a result of poverty and the inability of the family to take care of the needs of its members.
"The more we understand what the implications of poverty are, particularly, the impact of poverty on the family and society, the better we can design policies in ways that are proactive, comprehensive, effective and functional.
"That is why the ultimate goal of the Transformation Agenda of the present Administration is to improve the standard of living and enhance the quality of life of all members of the Family, including children, youth, women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable Nigerians," she stated.
Hajiya Maina said that was why her Ministry introduced various economic windows, capacity building and training in income generating activities for various family members so as to assist them in addressing poverty as well as ensure peace and peaceful co-existence.
"On this International Day of Families, let us resolve to support families as they nurture the young, care for the old and foster strong communities built on tolerance and dignity for all," she stressed.
The United Nations General Assembly decided in its Resolution 47/237 that beginning from 1994, the 15th day of May every year shall be observed as the International Day of Families. This year's theme for the observance is "Advancing Social Integration and International Solidarity."
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
Instead of us to have united and lovely families, so many negative events just keep on breaking homes. May God help us.