The Social Welfare Department on Monday, May 14th, 2012, commemorated the International Family Day at the Kanifing Municipal Council. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Enhancing work and family balance”.

The day brought together people from different walks of life to discuss in detail various factors affecting families and work. Speaking at the event, Fanta Bai Secka, the director of Social Welfare, said that parents have less time as they try to balance both family and work for better family management.

For her part, Aja Maimuna Savage, representing the Supreme Islamic Council, spoke on the importance of families and family responsibilities. She urged people to avoid committing sins due to their responsibilities as parents. She also urged parents to try as much as possible to have meetings and conversations with their children in order to earn their trust and be able to know theactivities of the children.

Aunty Sira Goddard urged people to look back at the African culture and tradition in which educated women create time to manage the affairs of their families as well as their children. She further lamented on the current issue of maids stealing children in Senegal, noting that what is happening in Senegal could surely affect The Gambia.

Other speakers included Ida Jobe of GRTS, Yassin Faye, Pa Modou Faal of the Daily Observer and Binta Sidibeh of GRTS,