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Global Day of Parents

Dressed in his firefighter uniform, Mohammad Jahirul Islam, 28, carries his daughter, Jisha, 3, to the daycare center she attends at the garment factory, where he and his wife (right) work in Narayangonj, outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 2018. PHOTO:© UNICEF/UN0292180/Sokol

Parents all over the world are honored today for their unselfish love, for their commitment to children, and for their crucial role in making the world a better place.

Since the 1980s, the important role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community. 

The General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions and proclaimed the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.

Emphasizing the critical role of parents in the rearing of children, the Global Day of Parents recognizes that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. 

For the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.

Designated by the General Assembly in 2012, Global Day of Parents provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their "selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship."

Greater support needed

Families bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the anchors of the family and the foundation of our communities and societies, parents have the responsibility of sheltering their families from harm, caring for out-of-school children and, at the same time, continuing their work responsibilities. 

Without support from parents, children’s health, education and emotional well-being is at risk. 

By introducing family-friendly workplace policies and practices, companies and organizations will be in a better position to promote children’s safety and wellbeing and provide systematic support to employees.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its exponential growth, a technical note from UNICEF, ILO and UN Women on family-friendly policies and other good workplace practices in the context of COVID-19 shows that it is essential to support working families to minimize negative consequences for children.

Background

During the 1980's, the United Nations began focusing attention on the issues related to the family. 

In 1983, based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development in its resolution on the Role of the family in the development process (1983/23) requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family, as well as of effective ways of meeting those needs.

In its resolution 44/82 of 9 December 1989, The General Assembly proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Family; and in resolution47/237 of 1993, the General Assembly decided that 15 May of every year to be observed as the International Day of Families.

In 2012, the General Assembly proclaimed 1 June as the Global Day of Parents, to be observed annually in honour of parents throughout the world. - United Nations

 

Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.”  Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.