Minister of Youth Affairs Bourne-Gumbs calls on families to spend weekend together in connection with International Day of Families

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Minister Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs, in connection with International Day of Families observed around the world on Friday, 15th of May, calls on Sint Maarten families to take time out this weekend to spend quality time together.

The theme of International Day of Families 2015 is, “Men in charge?”  This theme was chosen by the United Nations (UN) to highlight the importance of gender equality and children’s rights in contemporary families as more and more women are recognized as equal partners and decision-makers.

“Within our society we have one-parent households where the woman is in charge.  I take the opportunity to commend our strong women in our community who are part of this family of one parent households.  They work hard, and raise their kids to the best of their ability.

“I also commend the one-parent male households for the job that they do in raising their family.  At the same time I take my hat off to the traditional family who also work hard like all the others in order for our kids and love ones to have a better quality of life.

“On this International Day of Families, let us reflect and extend that into the weekend and do something special for each other.  The time spent with our love ones and our children should be cherished every moment.  May God Bless all Sint Maarten families,” Minister Hon. Rita Bourne-Gumbs said on Friday.

This Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, reflecting the importance the international community attaches to families.