The World Youth Alliance welcomes the adoption of the Kenya National Family Policy. Our WYA Africa team played a pivotal role, in collaboration with the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF) consortium, to include language in the areas of Parenting, Family Safety and Security, Media and Technology, and The Environment. Among noteworthy contributions, the organization takes immense pride in its input to the glossary, setting the terms and definitions for the document, including the foundational assertion that “The family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and the necessary basis of social order.”
“This policy exemplifies how global issues can be addressed with solutions that honor a country’s cultural values,” said WYA Africa’s Advocacy Fellow, Nyingi Wahome. “In the face of pressures to abandon national principles and embrace foreign ideologies, much work remains to make such respectful approaches commonplace.”
Why This Matters
The adoption of the Kenya National Family Policy firmly establishes and reinforces family values, highlighting the state’s deep respect for the family as the fundamental unit of society. Furthermore, it takes significant strides in addressing and mitigating threats to families, classifying parents as either biological or foster in an effort to uphold the dignity of every Kenyan and respect the value of the traditional family.
“WYA, along with our allies and the Kenyan Government, plays a vital role in defending the family, the fundamental unit of society, which is increasingly under threat on a global scale. Through this policy, WYA and our partners made strides in nurturing and safeguarding the family in both policy and culture.”
~ Cynthia Maingi, Regional Director, WYA Africa
Underpinning this policy is a crucial understanding that the foundation of a harmonious society lies in the strength and stability of its families. As members of the World Youth Alliance, we recognize the intrinsic value of every human person and the integral role of the family in society. The Kenya National Family Policy is not just a document; it’s a decisive step towards a future that truly values the human dignity of every individual and ensures authentic development for all its citizens. We urge our esteemed WYA members and advocates to actively champion the value of the family, ensuring a robust implementation of the policy’s promises and its continued assertion at the time of its review in 5 years.
WYA Staff, October 2023.
