International Day of Families 2017: A Weekend of activities to strengthen bonds

A Family Weekend, featuring an array of events and activities to strengthen family bonds and build positive parenting, will be held from 13 to 14 May 2017 at the Gymkhana Grounds in Vacoas in the context of International Day of Families 2017. The event is an initiative of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare.

The scheduled programme of activities to be organised in the context of the International Day of Families, observed on 15 May, was the focus of a press conference by the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo at the beginning of the week.  

According to the Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo, increasing rate of divorce, invasive and pervasive technologies, and domestic violence are contributing towards the breakdown of families and loss of values, thereby impacting negatively on society. In light of the situation, she highlighted the imperative for parents to effectively play their role in providing for the developmental, emotional and educational needs of their children in order for their wards to become healthy and confident citizens. The Minister also stressed the necessity for family members to spend quality time together, create memories and build unity. She urged families to develop, uphold and share values such as respect for self and others, tolerance, discipline and hard work. Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo added that a study on the wellbeing of families in Mauritius, carried out by the University of Mauritius at the request of the Ministry, is being examined, and the recommendations will be integrated in an Action Plan with the purpose of enhancing the quality of life of families.

Underlining Government’s commitment to reinforce the institution of the family, the Minister elaborated on the various measures implemented by the Ministry for the welfare of the Mauritian families with a view to reinforce responsible citizenship through inculcation of values for family life. The projects include the Inter-Generation Relationship Programme which aims at consolidating ties within the family and promotes family values among three generations, namely youths, parents and grandparents; and the Marriage Enrichment Programmes whose objectives are to sensitise engaged and married couples for a more stable married life, prepare them to cope with marital conflicts and empower them to lead a healthy family life.

List of activities

The National Family Weekend at the Gymkhana Grounds will be officially launched by the Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, on 12 May 2017. It will comprise a children’s corner, sale cum exhibition of products by local entrepreneurs, a food court, and a services corner comprising information desks from several Ministries/Departments and non-governmental organisations advertising their various facilities. An Open 7-aside Football Tournament for men and women will also be held. The entrance will be free. 

Other activities that will be held to mark International Day of Families 2017 are a workshop on the Observatory for Parenthood and a workshop to validate the report on the study on the prevalence, causes, consequences and costs of Intimate Partner Violence. The theme chosen by the United Nations for this year’s celebration is ‘Families, Education and Well-Being’.