Zambia has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of the Family, under the theme: “Families and New Technologies”.

The day which falls on May 15, every year, provides an opportunity to promote awareness on issues relating to families in order to address social and economic challenges affecting families.

In a speech read on her behalf by Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Angela Kawandami to mark the launch of the day on ZNBC, Minister Doreen Mwamba described family as a core of society and the pillar of national development.

Ms. Mwamba said family play a key role in national development, hence the need to pay more attention to issues affecting families.

She stressed that this year´s theme is meant to raise awareness in communities on the importance of technological advancements and also raise concerns on some challenges that come with it.

“Today, we are able to connect with our family members who are in distant places or outside the country at the click of a button. Despite positive impacts of technologies on the family, there are also concerns that can be raised on the negative use of technology,” Ms. Mwamba said,

The Minister said Government through her ministry has put in places policies aimed at helping families such as the Children´s Act No. 12 of 2022 and various social protection services.