International Day of Families

Description :

International Day of Families is celebrated on 15th May every year.  It is annually observed by the United Nations around the world. This day highlights the crucial affairs central to the welfare of families such as education, gender equality, health, and rights for children. Also, it includes social inclusion among others.

As per the background of the International Day of Families, the United Nations gave its attention to issues related to the family during the 1980s'.  In 1983, the Commission for Social Development requested the Secretary-General to enhance the awareness among decision-makers and the public of the problems, and needs of the family and effective ways of meeting those needs from the resolution on the role of the family in the development process (1983/23) base on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council.

On May 29th, 1985, in its resolution 1985/29, the Council invited the General Assembly to consider the possibility of including an item entitled "Families in the development process" in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session. Also, it requested the Secretary-General to initiate a process of developing global awareness of the issues involved with opinions of Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and the public. 

Then, based on the recommendations of the Commission for Social Development, the Assembly invited all States to offer their comments and proposals related to the proclamation of an international year of the family. On December 9th, 1989, the General Assembly proclaimed the International Year of the Family from resolution 44/82. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared that the 15th of May of every year shall be observed as the International Day of Families in its resolution A/RES/47/237.

International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families & appropriate actions for those issues and to increase knowledge about the social, economic & demographic processes affecting families. Also, this day is a powerful mobilizing factor for all families around the world.