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Melvelyn Symonette, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender and Family Affairs; Phedra Rahming-Turnquest, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting (MOSSIB); Myles Laroda, Minister, MOSSIB; Bishop Delton Fernander, President, Christian Council of the Bahamas; Lisa Bowleg, Community Services, MOSSIB. (Standing) Ms. Williams, PS Office, MOSSIB; Sheryl Knowles, National Family Week Planning Committee, DGFA; Townsley Roberts, Ministry of Persons with Disabilities; Superintendent Campbell, Royal Bahamas Police Force; Wilton Russell, Organiser, Family Sports Fun Day; Commander Byron, Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF); Chief Sergeant Denise Oliver, RBPF; Lisa McPhee-Brown, Office of the Minister, MOSSIB
The Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, His Excellency Myles K. Laroda, officially launched the National Family Week with the theme “Building Stronger Families…Building Stronger Communities”. This will mark the beginning of a year-long family strengthening campaign.
National Family Week is hosted by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs (DGFA) and will feature a series of events aimed at creating an enabling environment for stronger families. National Family Week is officially scheduled to take place from July 25 to 31, 2024. However, the event will kick off on the weekend of July 20 and 21, with special services held in churches across The Bahamas to celebrate families.
In partnership with the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) and the DGFA, the Stronger Families Movement has been launched, with churches pledging to regularly incorporate teachings on the family throughout the year.
MOSSIB staff will pause for reflection and worship on Monday, July 22. The ministry has produced a booklet for the public that highlights “Ten Ways to Build Stronger Families.”
The National Family Week Planning Committee has organized a Family Empowerment Forum scheduled for Thursday, July 25. The event will be held via Zoom and in person at 6 p.m. in the Ministry Hearing Room at John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Bethel Avenue.
National Family Sports and Recreation Day will be held at the Thomas Robinson Sr. Stadium from 12-5pm on Saturday, July 27. It will be a day of recreation, fun and entertainment for the whole family, with prizes and surprises.
The Male Empowerment Forum will be held in the Ministry’s Hearing Rooms on Monday, July 29, from 9:30am to 3pm. Men are encouraged to come and participate in discussions on issues that affect men and boys in The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas has a strong family structure, but that structure is under threat,” said Minister LaRoda. “Most of us are used to the village helping to raise our children.”
“Over time, our family structure has weakened. Attacks on the family such as abuse, violence, crime, disasters, divorce and economic hardship have exacerbated this decline. The Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, which has a mandate to address family issues, intends to be more proactive in addressing these issues.”
Minister LaRoda added: “The statistics show that while we have evidence of the benefits of strong families, the breakdown of family life is contributing to the socio-economic decline of some of our communities.”
“The poverty rate was 12.5 percent in 2016, but we are making progress. Employment is rising. While we recognize that economic stress has consequences, families with hope and opportunity will break through and overcome challenges.”
For more information on National Family Week, please contact the Ministry of Gender and Family Affairs at (242) 397-8600 or sexandfamilyaffairs@bahamas.gov.bs.
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