Tshireletso Urges Families To Fight Bad Behaviour
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday June 12, 2017 16:06
She said this during the International Day of Families commemorations held recently at Tonota Primary School grounds under the theme ‘Families, education and well-being’.
Tshireletso said the sole reason for celebrating the event was to interact with different communities on family issues so that they understand the vital role played by a family in national building.
She said families have an impact in the development of individuals and play a greater role on political affairs of the country because they vote for a government of the day. She said the family should address challenges such as teenage pregnancy, defilements and misconduct by youth, which are rampant in the society.
Tshireletso criticised parents for being scared of their own children, but said in the past every elder was able to discipline youngsters, irrespective of whether they were related or not. She condemned men who sexually harassed and forced themselves on women without their consent. She said some men have turned themselves into beasts that sexually abuse minor children.
The assistant minister said that what is more disheartening is the behaviour where parents murder their own children.
She urged people to become morally upright and uphold their cultural values as well as refrain from mischievous acts. She said that this year’s theme focuses on good practices geared towards work-family balance to assist parents in their educational and care giving roles.
She said the theme emphasises importance of knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development through education for family members. Tshireletso said the theme is relevant in that recently they have had reports of increased cases of malnutrition and this is pointing to the importance of nutritional education.
She said families have a unique role of ensuring provision of good health and general well being of children, youth, elders and other vulnerable groups in the family. She indicated that government promotes paid maternity leave that enables mothers to care for their new born and sustain breastfeeding which nurtures bonding, reduces risks of illnesses on infants and mothers as well as building self esteem of children at a tender age.
She further said although they do not yet have provisions for paternity leave, they envisage that in future such leave would be accorded to fathers. The assistant minister emphasised that it is their responsibility to be there for their families at all times during good and bad times for care and emotional support.
“It is only when we do this as family members that we will build each other’s self-esteem and therefore produce responsible citizens,” she said.