Eastern province Permanent Secretary Euleria Mwale has called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to combat challenges faced by the family.
Mrs.Mwale says there is need for concerted efforts to enable Zambian families to fight various social-economic factors among them HIV and AIDS pandemic, juvenile delinquency and high crime rates.
She said this in a speech read on her behalf by Chipata District commissioner Moses Nyirenda at the commemoration of the International Day of the family held at Jubeva College of Education in Chipata yestrday.
This year’s theme is “Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion”.
The Permanent Secretary said that better understanding of the family would enabled families carry out activities that would better their living conditions.
” Unprecedented increase in child headed households, divorce , female headed families streetism should be an eye opener that the family has lapsed over the years hence the observance of the day which offer a valuable chance for a better life, ” Mrs Mwale said.
She noted that government was appreciative to all stakeholders that were supplementing its effort to improve living condition of the vulnerable in society urging them to continue with the good works of supporting and strengthening families.
Mrs Mwale stated that it was important for all the citizens to strive for families to be free from poverty, hunger and disease for the betterment of the country.
She said the family was the first and most important socializing institution where shelter and protection were to be found when facing difficulties in life.
Government had put in place policies and programmes aimed at cushioning the effects of social-economic ills affecting the Zambian family.
Among these programmes are the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme, the Food Security Pack, the Social Cash Transfer Scheme and other Safety Net Programmes which target at uplifting conditions of the vulnerable.
ZANIS
