May 15th marks the International Day of Families, a global observance that underscores the vital role families play in shaping individuals and strengthening societies. This year’s celebration holds added significance as the global community strives to build more inclusive, equitable, and resilient family structures.
The 2025 commemoration is particularly timely as the world prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development in November. Held under the theme “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development,” the observance emphasizes how inclusive family structures and responsive policies can meaningfully contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
ARHR and the Gender Model Family Approach
In Ghana, the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR) celebrates the day by highlighting the adopted Gender Model Family (GMF) approach —an innovative, community-based approach that champions gender equality and shared responsibilities within households.
The GMF Approach: A Pathway to Equality at Home
Adopted from SEND Ghana and aligned with ARHR’s broader mission to enhance primary healthcare and advance women and girls reproductive health and rights, the GMF approach engages families in rethinking and reshaping traditional gender roles, particularly those that disproportionately burden women and girls. Through a combination of targeted education, community dialogue, and household mentorship, the GMF approach encourages families to:
- Share caregiving and domestic responsibilities.
- Practice joint decision-making on key issues such as health, education, and family planning.
- Promote the aspirations and well-being of all household members, regardless of gender.
This transformative shift improves the quality of life at home and drives progress toward broader societal goals including gender equity, women’s empowerment, and better health outcomes.
Why It Matters
In many communities, especially in rural and underserved areas, rigid gender norms continue to limit opportunities for women and undermine family cohesion. These outdated norms contribute to:
- Poor maternal and child health outcomes,
- Unequal access to education and economic resources, and
- Heightened rates of gender-based violence.
By promoting more balanced and respectful family dynamics, the GMF approach fosters homes where every individual feels valued, heard and supported.
A Call to Action: Building Gender-Transformative Families
As we mark this year’s International Day of Families, ARHR calls on community leaders, health professionals, policymakers, and citizens to support and scale up initiatives that advance gender-transformative family models.
Every family holds the power to be a force for change. By embracing the values of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation, we can create healthier, more resilient homes that serve as the foundation for a just, inclusive, and sustainable society.
