Men accused of abandoning their roles

CS, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore speaking during the Launch of the disability mainstream annual status report held on Mercure hotel Nairobi Monday 13,2023. [Silas Otieno, Standard]

Absent fathers are being accused of contributing to disharmony in families across the country.

At the same time, many men have absconded their roles leading to broken families and increase of street families.

The observations were made on Monday during marked in Nairobi.

And as the Sakahola saga continues to unfold, churches too were blamed for brainwashing congregates adding to the deteriorating moral decay. While the youth were said to be deeply involved in drugs and substance abuse.

Speaking during the event, State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs CS Florence Bore acknowledges the role of families in promoting social and economic development as well as their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bore said both parents have a moral and statutory obligation to take care of their children properly.

"The families are compasses that guide us and the reason we have single mothers and street families is because of men. We have to take our responsibility as parents, as father and mother in bringing up these children,'' state Bore.

The CS blamed the emerging trend in the society where the new generation is abandoning traditional practices, norms and values that had positive impact in society.

''The family structures in the country have continued to change socially, economically, and by culture. Grandparents have been put in a corner making our foundations weak. We no longer see our grandparents being involved in decision making,'' she stated.

International Day of Families focuses on needs and issues affecting families around the globe as well as paying close attention to the social, economic and demographic aspects.

It also highlights the challenges faced by families worldwide, including poverty, migration, work-family balance, and access to healthcare and education.

Celebrating the Day promotes the need for supportive policies and programmes that strengthen and protect families and their members.

It also provides an opportunity for governments, organizations and individuals to recognize the contributions of families as well as promote family oriented policies and programmes that support the well-being of families in communities around the world.

UNICEF Representative to Kenya Shaheen Nilofer said despite the challenges, many families have remained resilient. She said many children in Kenya are facing a myriad of challenges, among them emerging online threats.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, children are spending more time online than ever before hence exposing themselves to harmful content, cyberbullying and online predators.

''Parenting is considered one of the most important influence on children particularly; during their early childhood years. The effects of violence, violent discipline and harsh parenting impact hardest during children's early years and have lifelong consequences,'' noted Shaheen.

Chairperson Department Committee, Social Protection Alice Ng'ang'a blamed urbanization for the falling moral standards among communities.

''Men have left the responsibility of aiding and going to where their children go to school. We can come back by advising them to pick from where they left,'' she observed.