Government says it is sad that the extended family system has been abandoned.
Sport, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister Angela Cifire says the failure to uphold the extended family system has lead to the inability to cope with the increasing number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in the country.
Ms. Cifire pointed out that the extended family system was in the past used as a traditional coping mechanism to accommodate the OVCs.
Ms. Cifire said this at the official opening of the International Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Conference organised by the Children Christian Fund (CCF) and the Austrarian Aid (Aus-Aid) under the theme sharing experiences in OVC care and support at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka today.
She said there is need for parents, guardians and communities to ensure that children are provided with a basic needs and a conducive health environment to enable them grow into responsible adults.
Ms. Cifire however reiterated government’s commitment towards improving the welfare of the children in the country especially those in the vulnerable category.
She has since called upon other stakeholders to develop a multi sectoral approach in implementing programmes and activities on orphans and vulnerable children
Ms. Cifire said the challenges which children are currently facing are enormous for one institution to effectively address them.
And CCF Board Chairperson Dr Tuckson Lambert noted that the review of the national child and youth policies and stiffening of punishments against child sexual offences are testimony of government’s commitment to creating an environment of growth and development of children in the country.
Dr. Lambert commended government for its continued support towards CCF programmes in the country and for creating a conducive environment for the growth and development of vulnerable children in the country.
He noted that the multi sectoral nature of HIV/AIDS which makes some children vulnerable calls for concerted efforts by various stakeholders in order to make a difference.
EDITOR’s NOTE: Post Your Lifestyle stories through the Contact Us Link Above. The best stories will get published in the Lifestyle section of the site.
Family hardship resulting from a poor economic environment has caused the break down in our a dear extended family system. We no longer can afford looking beyond our immediate responsibilities.
In eEurope the extended family collapsed a long time ago but people learnt to be self-dependent and the governments started good social systems that took care of those that could not take care of themselves for whatever reasons. This is a challenge to the government and the society as a whole. Did the government think our traditional ways of living would prevail in these days of almost 60% unemploymnet?
This is what happens when all means of good governance gets ignored by greedy politicians like former President of Zambia ,ka Chiluba.There are no adequately paying jobs for majority of the zambian population and as a result people are not willing to look after their extenteded members of the family.It is even becoming very difficulty for young men to marry because they have no means of supporting the intended Wives.This results in more women resorting to grabbing other womens husbands, girls turning to prostitution, Guys turning to prostitutes for short term sexual gratification which in turn is causing alot of them catching the deadly sexual diseases like HIV/AIDS.Soon you shall starting seeing the Indian type of Marriage proposals as less guys take up the challenge of proposing marriage to women.I am afraid its going to be Hit and run for most relationships, and there is going to alot of single mums.I invite comments.
Supprisingly they’re still pipo who believe Chiluba brought more good than misery. Imagine battling to choose benefits of apples(made abundant by chiluba) and employment(scarce in his time…
If there is anyone from the social dept reading this, kindly make available online your social policy for zambians to make their contribution.
Well,Cifire should be aware that no zedian would ever chose to forsake their niece, nephew, brother because of selfishness. There is more to the economy than meets the eye as all the bloggers have hinted. A family of three (father, mother and child) are struggling to make ends meet. How can they afford themselves the luxury of catering for several mouths? The economy is a big issue that unfortunately, is definitely slowly gnawing at our cultural and ethnical values.
it is really sad ’cause I grew up with my uncle and I enjoyed every bit of my stay with his family. Now I will have to think twice b4 accepting his grandchild in my house although am under a reciprocal obligation.
Typical African politicians. What are governments for? No wonder we will never develop.
I know of a certain developed country where up to now people where getting benefits. Yeah and that in a country which is developed.
Is Angela Cifire Zimbabwean? The name doesn’t sound Zambian unless she is married to a Zambabwean. I don’t like the idea of having foreigners in the Zambian Government. But then we Zambians are so accommodating that we allow foreigners to be our leaders. Why can’t Zambians rule themselves. We need to introduce a system of vetting leaders to ensure that only indigenous Zambian assume leadership positions. Since when did one hear that a Zambia is a Minister in India? In all fairness we as Zambians need to be fair to ourselves. Foreigners can participate in business and enterpreneurship in genuine manner and conduct but politics should be left to Zambians.
Angela Cifire is Ngoni- fully Zambian. Dont show your ignorance here.
BRAVE ONE, valid point but a bit defficient on rationale. Based on previous advice I have dispensed for free on this site, I am of the enlightened opinion that the economy has nothing to do with the breakdown of the extended family. I have gathered quite generously that when one does not have a job or means of recreation, the otherwise enjoyable activity of sexual intercourse is a welcome aperture for social and economic malaise. As for relationships, they went out of fashion in the latter half of the last decade, sex topped the agenda and thus rendered the proverbial meal on a first date irrelevant. Therefore, people ate less and pursued each other’s carnal knowledge, resulting rather sadly
…into more nephews and nieces than sons and daughters.
Poor economic performance and rural urban drift is the main cause of the break in extended family system. We all know very well that extended family system is still very strong in the rural areas/villages of Zambia. But once people go to towns and lock themselves in an electrified house, they dont want a knock on the door from a visiting relative. while people will always migrate from rural areas to cities in search of good living, the govt need to improve the services and infrastructure in rural Zambia to retain people there. Urbanisation is a medium for rapid evolution of culture and family systems. Very soon we will be talking of investment in homes for the aged!
The Extended Family system has collapsed because of the policies that have exerted massive pressure on the system to do away with itself.The person mourning about this is obviously empty of factors that have lead to societies disintergrating. From 1991 to the present time, all policies put in place have been anti-Zambian Extended family system. Companies were closed, workers fired without compensation, schools and medical care were out of reach and still are out of reach, elections have been rigged from 1996 to 2006 thus leading to Zambians putting in place governments that have no relevance to their needs. The whole issue is that our governments are tools of enslavement since 1991!!
Tell me are politicians just parrots or they have a brain of their own??? Surely Cifire can make reference like she does not know what happened to the traditional social safety nets, where has she been living mai we!!!
Cifire you are a minister thats why uvionela mumadollas.A family of 6 can’t afford 2 decent meals per day what are you talking about.Feed them yourself atase!!!!
You guys lests not even ague you well know poverty is the number one enrmy to us so it is very obvios we cant keep your relative in your home with no food.If you have the capacity well you can keep your relatives.
Poverty, unemployment and laziness these are the cause. As no.16 said ok.
Too many lazy people. They wait to be feed by relatives. Go out and burst your butt. Hustle or do something!!
# 8 Jafypacu – Usa, teka bola panshi, we mwaume. Angela Cifire is a Zambian from Eastern province. Spare your ignorant self some embarrasment by not blogging without facts.
does ms cifire keep any relatives herself …practice what you preach mami
The extended family system broke down because of uncontrolled urbanization. I believe it still works in rural areas. However, due to the neglect of the rural areas by the government, not many people want to live there anymore and the result has been the proliferation of unplanned settlements such as shanties. Urban living is expensive and people can hardly make ends meet and the idea of helping out someone else when you cannot wholly meet your own (nuclear) family’s needs is like trying to run away from your own legs.
Cifire (or rather her ancestors are) is a proud Ngoni. Many adopted Chewa names and/or the like. Jews have for hundreds of years adopted local names, however, they have always kept their culture and that sets them apart. Hope the Ngonis have done the same.