30/05/11
Though the International Society commemorated Family day on the 15th of May 2011, The Department of Social Services and Batswana commemorated the day on Wednesday, the 18th May 2011, under the theme; Confronting family poverty and social exclusion.
Though the International Society commemorated Family day on the 15th of May 2011, The Department of Social Services and Batswana commemorated the day on Wednesday, the 18th May 2011, under the theme; Confronting family poverty and social exclusion.
The event at which the Honorable Minister of local Government, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake officiated was held at Tsabong in the Kgalagadi District with the proceedings of the day starting from the Tsabong Police Station with a march to the sports ground.
The main objectives of this day were; to promote awareness of critical family developmental challenges as well as promote appropriate action; To share socio-economic mitigation strategies undertaken in confronting family poverty and social exclusion, and To dialogue on the national and global impact of poverty and social exclusion on families.
The International Day of the Family was a result of a proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly, which caused member states to reflect on their family related policies and programs and take a deliberate action to improve the position and wellbeing of the family and create awareness of the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society. Botswana as a UN member state thus committed itself to making the declaration a reality.
Some of the activities done by Botswana in an effort to make the declaration a reality are:
2003 - Two awareness regional workshops were held at Ghanzi and Selibe Phikwe to create awareness on the family issues and formulating recommendations for dealing with such issues.
2005 - A conference marking the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family was held in Gaborone.
2008 - Commemoration of the Day was held at Otse village in South East District.
2009 - The Day was held at Shashe Bridge village in North East District.
2010 - Theme “The impact of migration on families around the world”. North West.
2011 - To dialogue on the national and global impact of poverty and social exclusion on families, the day was commemorated in Tsabong in the Kgalagadi District.