Herald Reporter
President Mugabe has bemoaned the negative effect of HIV and Aids and the movement of parents into

the Diaspora on families.
He said this in a State of the Nation Address broadcast on national television last night on the eve of the 19th anniversary of the International Day of Families.

The day will be marked today under the theme “Ensuring Work and Family Balance”.
“It is regrettable that phenomena such as urbanisation, the HIV and Aids pandemic set against the movements of some of our people to other parts of the world, have shaken family cohesion and stability to the core, many times with disastrous consequences,” said President Mugabe.

“Child and single-headed households are on the increase.”
President Mugabe said families should be accorded the widest possible protection and assistance so that they fully assume their responsibilities within communities and the nation.
“As we celebrate the significance of the family, we need to be aware of issues that impact positively and negatively on this undervalued unit of our society,” he said.

“Family members get their first and elementary education and value foundations in the family.”
President Mugabe said recognition of the roles and values of each family member contributes to family stability and cohesion.
“The impact of work demands continues to be a big challenge on the family unity,” he said.

“Real economic needs or in certain cases the rise of materialism and greed have created a situation where there is little time for the family.
“As women and men climb up the corporate ladder of success, children are deprived of parental care. Often the welfare of children is left in the hands of domestic workers, at times, with sad results.

“What is happening to our time honoured traditional family protection systems, security and cohesion? How can these challenges be addressed?”
President Mugabe said Government will  continue incorporating family issues and concerns into policy development and laws.
“While there are laws such as the Domestic Violence Act, we still need to do more to protect the sanctity of the family,” he said.

“In this regard, I am informed the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development are working towards establishing a Family Court.”
President Mugabe said the Family Court will provide a user friendly environment to expedite the resolution of sensitive family cases and conflict.

“A simplified Family Law Handbook and various pamphlets have been produced by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development to inform and educate men, women and children on their respective roles in the development of a society, which remains in touch with, and esteems its treasured values systems,” he said.

These handbooks, President Mugabe said, needed to be widely distributed as they may contribute to the prevention and resolution of certain retrogressive and criminal behaviour that is not conducive to positive family values.

President Mugabe said Government cannot do everything on its own and urged family members, communities, churches and other organisations to participate in activities that create and promote balanced and cohesive family lives in Zimbabwe.

“Let us make every day a family day for the good of the family of Zimbabwe,” he said. President Mugabe said there was need to balance work and family responsibilities for family cohesion. For indeed, the observance of this day gives us an opportunity to promote and amplify awareness on issues relating to families as well as taking appropriate action to strengthen family cohesion,” said President Mugabe.

The Government, he said, attaches great importance on the family as a basic and important unit of society that contributes to the overall sustainable development of the country.

“An examination of the national theme denotes the serious need for family members engaged in various work cycles or activities, whether formal or informal, to strike and enjoy much needed balance for quality time with their families,” he said.
The International Day of Families is marked annually on May 15 to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world.

It has been marked every year since it was declared by the United Nations in 1994.