International Day of Families: Africa’s Christian Professionals Urge Legal Framework Fostering “accepted family values”

The Christian professionals also refer to the Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights of the African Union (AU) that they say “underscores the importance of the family as the basic unit of society and emphasizes the duty of states to protect it.”

In their May 15 statement, they go on to highlight other international legal frameworks, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, saying the documented laws and policies “recognize the family as the fundamental unit of society and affirm the rights of parents to provide direction and guidance to their children in accordance with their moral and religious beliefs.”

ACPF members identify some of the threats to the family institution that need to be addressed. These include femicide, incest, poverty, gender-based violence, and political instabilities.

Other threats to the institution of the family include displacement due to natural disasters and permissiveness, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and neglecting society’s senior citizens and the elderly. 

“We firmly believe that these threats undermine the traditional family structure and pose significant risks to the well-being of individuals and communities,” they say in the two-page statement shared with ACI Africa on May 15.

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To cushion the family institution against the highlighted threats, the Christian professionals in Africa call for the enactment of “legislation that safeguards traditional family values, including marriage, parental rights, and the upbringing of children in a nurturing environment.”

They also urge governments, institutions, organizations, and lawmakers on the continent to allocate resources and support programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of families, including access to healthcare, education, and social services.

ACPF members go on to call for “decisive action to address all forms of violence within families, including domestic abuse, gender-based violence, political instability, advocating for stopping incest, child neglect, and elder mistreatment, through robust legal frameworks and support services.”

They also want governments, institutions, organizations, and lawmakers in Africa to “foster initiatives that promote cohesion and unity within families, recognizing the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds across the continent.”

Governments in Africa should also “Provide opportunities for family leaders, including parents and caregivers, to access training, resources, and support networks to fulfill their roles effectively,” the Christian Professionals say.

On the occasion of IDF, they say, “let us reaffirm our collective commitment to protecting and promoting the dignity and integrity of the family unit.”

“Let us work together to ensure that families are empowered to fulfill their essential roles in society, guided by the principles of love, respect, and mutual support,” ACPF members say in their May 15 statement shared with ACI Africa.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.