Deputy Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Halima Daudi, has called on stakeholders and development partners to collaborate in rebuilding families and preserving family unity in the face of growing urbanization in Malawi.

Daudi made the call on Friday at Chilimampunga School Ground in Lilongwe during the commemoration of the International Day of Families, which was held under the theme “Family and Urbanization.”

Speaking to YFM, the deputy minister said urbanization has contributed to a rise in dysfunctional families, which in turn has led to numerous social challenges in the country.

“Urbanization has brought about a number of family-related issues, including increased cases of suicide, child prostitution, urban poverty, and a growing number of street-connected children.

These are largely a result of broken family structures, and they significantly affect children,” Daudi explained, urging for collective action to tackle the problem.

In his remarks, MacBain Mkandawire, Executive Director of Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO), emphasized the need for the government to introduce deliberate policies aimed specifically at rehabilitating dysfunctional families.