In a Press release to mark International Day of Families, last Wednesday, it reiterated that mothers and fathers in partnership are the foundation of families.

The release said: “Today, while recognising the nuclear family which comprises mother, father and children as being unquestionably the ideal unit, we must recognise, in our Guyanese society, varying family structures which exist.

“These range from the extended family, the single parent family, the adopted family and the other family types, all of whom we must salute on this International Day of Families.”

It went on: “The increased divorces, unwanted teenage pregnancies, suicide, the presence of street children and the abandonment of elderly persons are indications that the family is no longer fulfilling its role effectively.

“Concern for the family has been reflected in the number of initiatives embarked upon by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, through the establishment of commissions such as the National Commission for the Family, the National Commission on the Rights of the Child and the National Commission for the Elderly.

“The programmes emerging from the work of the commissions have included the formulation of a family code, which, it is hoped will serve as concrete guidelines for family life.

“Along with this, efforts are being made to promote the development of a Family Court and to update legislation concerning children and women. Programmes are also being put in place for addressing the scourge of family violence and child abuse.

“Several campaigns, aimed at promoting family life have been introduced, these include anti-violence campaigns and promotion of the rights of the child.

“As part of a programme for educating parents, national commissions have also organised national workshops dealing with a wide range of subjects,” the statement pointed out.