At launch of Int’l Day of Family: Minister reaffirms commitment to better protect families, children.

She re-echoed the commitment in Yaounde Thursday while launching activities to mark the 32nd International Day of the Family. The Day will be celebrated May 15 under the theme: “Family, Inequalities, and Child Well-being”. 

The minister said this year’s theme calls for collective reflection on the persistent inequalities that affect family stability and compromise the proper development and well-being of children. 

She said it also highlights the importance of promoting inclusive policies that reduce inequalities and ensure that every child, regardless of their background and their health status can grow up in a safe, stable and supportive family environment. 

Emphasised that the family constitutes the primary environment for protection, socialisation and fulfillment, the minister regretted that in a context marked by economic, social, and gender-related inequalities, many families face increasing challenges that weaken its capacity to meet the prerequisites for the full development of children.

“Economic inequalities translate into poverty, unemployment, precarious living conditions, and resource deprivation. Social inequalities manifest as unequal access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and justice while gender-related inequalities result in limited opportunities for women and girls, as well as the perpetuation of discriminatory practices within families and communities,” she detailed.

Such inequalities, she said, have direct repercussions on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of children, exposing them to risks of neglect, violence, and exclusion.

Minister Abena Ondoa said Cameroon still faces multiple challenges added to emerging social phenomena such as violence, child abuse, early marriages which all weaken the family structures. 

“Urbanisation, migration and socio-economic transformations have also contributed to changes in family dynamics, sometimes leading to reduced parental supervision and weakened social support systems,” Minister Abena Ondoa stated. 

She equally raised worries on the rise in extreme forms of intra-family violence, including infanticide, filicide, parricide and femicide, which she said have been compounded by other challenges, and constitute a serious threat to the family institution.

Measures to strengthen family protection 

She said government, under the guidance of President Biya, is sparring no effort to step up the protection of families and children. 

The minister cited the strengthening of legal and institutional framework for child protection, implementation of key strategies such as the National Gender Policy, the Program for the Promotion of Peace, Living Together, and Social Cohesion, among measures deployed in this direction.

She also mentioned Positive Parenting Program, the Assistance Strategy for Destitute Families for those in distress, and the Multisectoral Action Plan to Combat Child Marriage. 

Abena Ondoa said the National Family Policy to serve as the reference document for family-oriented actions has been drafted and technically validated. 

She disclosed that “social protection measures have also been deployed for vulnerable families, and child protection services have been made operational, including the 116 free helpline”.

Promoting the economic empowerment of women, she said, is proving to be a key driver for improving family well-being and reducing inequalities within households. 

Despite the results recorded, she said much still needs to be done to increase mobilization of stakeholders to effectively overcome the persistent and emerging challenges facing families.

The minister urged all and sundry to synergize efforts to promote equal access to education, healthcare, and social services for all families, strengthen family cohesion and parental responsibility through positive parenting practices.

She also recommended an intensification of actions aimed at preventing and combating all forms of violence within families, support vulnerable families through adapted social protection mechanisms, and encourage community engagement and solidarity regarding child protection. 

Established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 47/237 of September 20, 1993, the Day defines the family as the fundamental unit of society and the cornerstone of sustainable development.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3783 of Friday May 08, 2026