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Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, has warned that the breakdown of family structures is contributing significantly to the rise in drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and juvenile delinquency in Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the Government Weekly Press Conference held on Tuesday at the Miatta Civic Center in Freetown, Karminty said her experience at the Ministry over the past three years has shown that many of the country’s growing social challenges are rooted in weakened family systems.
She described the family as the foundation of society and stressed the need to restore family values in order to strengthen national development and social stability.
The Minister stated that parents and guardians must take greater responsibility in guiding children and providing moral support to help address the increasing involvement of young people in crime and substance abuse.
Karminty also disclosed that Sierra Leone will formally commemorate the International Day of Families for the first time since the United Nations established the observance in 1993.
According to her, the commemoration is expected to promote national awareness on the importance of strong and functional families in addressing social problems affecting communities across the country.
