Malawi: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare on Friday held the first official national celebration of the International Day of Families. The celebration was hosted at Mtandire in Lilongwe and was proof of the government’s commitment to promoting strong and resilient families.
The event was held under the theme of ‘Togetherness and family unity’ and was attended by Deputy Minister of Gender, Halima Daud. The Minister encouraged communities to embrace the spirit of family as a foundation for national development.
“Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. We must continue nurturing them with love, responsibility, and care,” said Daud.
The United Nations designated observance of the day, which is commemorated annually on May 15. The celebration highlights the important role families play in shaping social development and unity. Member of Parliament for Mtsiliza Constituency, George Zulu was also present at the event and he thanked the government for choosing his area to host the event.
“This is a strong reminder that family is the starting point of progress. When families are not strong, the development of our communities is also affected,” Zulu said. The country continues to experience high divorce rates, nearly half of all first marriages end within 20 years.
Gender-based violence (GBV) also remains a pressing concern, with 24.3 percent of women and girls aged 15–49 having experienced intimate partner violence in the past year. In addition, 38% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 8 per cent before 15.
Violence against children is widespread, with 82% experiencing violent discipline at home, and 17% facing severe forms of abuse. Rapid urbanization has further contributed to the rise in street-connected children, child maintenance cases, family disputes, and mental health challenges.
To address these issues, the Ministry is implementing a range of interventions aimed at strengthening family structures. These include Positive Parenting initiatives, child protection case management, economic empowerment programs, and national efforts like the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) and the National Social Support Programme (NSSP).
The Ministry used the event to spotlight various family-related challenges affecting Malawi.