• Advocates for resilient, work-oriented families as social cohesion pillars
ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA) is stepping up efforts to strengthen family resilience, promote economic self-sufficiency, and reinforce the role of families as a foundation for peace, national unity, and development.
Speaking at a press briefing and commemorative event marking the 32nd Global and 3rd National Family Day under the theme: “Improved Jobs and Income for National Economic Growth”, State Minister Huria Ali emphasized that empowering families economically and socially is key to ensuring national stability.
“Our focus is on creating resilient, productive families that contribute meaningfully to economic growth and social harmony,” she said, calling for a shift from dependency to productivity to fight poverty and social disintegration.
Huria underlined the ministry’s ongoing initiatives aimed at providing job opportunities, improving family income, and encouraging the growth of family-owned enterprises, especially in rural and urban settings. She noted that strengthening such businesses is crucial to transforming the work culture and supporting vulnerable groups, including the elderly.
The State Minister also highlighted the importance of effectively utilizing remittances and addressing the root causes of illegal migration. “We are committed to building awareness and supporting families to make informed, sustainable economic choices,” she told The Ethiopian Herald.
As part of a broader strategy, MoWSA is conducting nationwide research to identify the socioeconomic factors exposing families to vulnerability and economic hardship. This will inform policy and program design aimed at facilitating long-term solutions and reintegration of at-risk families into stable livelihoods.
The Elderly and Family Affairs Department Leading Executive Officer Tesfaye Robel stressed the importance of mitigating interfamilial conflicts by addressing disparities in work and living conditions. “Family harmony begins with economic balance and shared responsibilities,” he noted.
Tesfaye also emphasized the role of public awareness campaigns and the promotion of family unity through accessible education and support systems. He called for more investment in micro and small enterprises as drivers of household resilience.
The Family Day forum featured panel discussions tackling various challenges affecting family cohesion, such as economic insecurity, divorce, migration, and media influence. Experts proposed actionable solutions, including the introduction of tailored family loan services, stronger social protection mechanisms, and enhanced pre- and post-marital education programs.
Panelists also called on financial institutions to design accessible credit systems for family-based enterprises, while urging the government to deepen collaboration with civil society and development actors to protect families from socio-economic and psychological distress.
In closing, Huria reiterated MoWSA’s commitment to advancing family-centered development, safeguarding vulnerable groups, and transforming the family unit into an engine of peace, productivity, and national progress.
BY FIKADU BELAY & MISGANAW ASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY16 MAY 2025
