WHITE PAPER ON FAMILIES 2013 PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL

WHITE PAPER ON FAMILIES 2013 PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 10 SEPTEMBER 2013

Outline of the Presentation Purpose Structure of the White Paper on Families Background Situation Analysis Definition and types of Families Response Strategies Coordination and Implementation Recommendations 2

Purpose of the Presentation To brief the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on the White Paper on Families as well as the proposed strategies and programmes that strengthen families and promote family life. 3

Structure of the White Paper on Families GLOSSARY FOREWORD Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Setting the context Section 3: Current legislation and policy framework Section 4: Response strategy for families Section 5 : Coordination, Implementation & monitoring structures References 4

BACKGROUND The development of a family policy in South Africa was initiated in 2004 after the research that was commissioned by the Department of Social Development on the structure and needs of families. The research resulted in the development of draft national family policy which was later presented to cabinet . 5

BACKGROUND (cont’d) Cabinet recommended that a White paper on families be developed to address the plight of families. The process was initiated by developing the green paper and consulted nationally. Public hearings were conducted in rural and urban areas Experts were consulted and the following government clusters: Governance and administration, JCPS, and Social protection and Community development. 6

BACKGROUND (cont’d) White Paper on families was presented to cabinet and approval was granted on the 26th of June 2013. 7

Situational Analysis The family is under threat and unable to play its critical roles of socialisation, nurturing, care and protection of family members effectively, due to various factors. Social ills that families have to content with includes amongst others: poverty , high rate of unemployment , domestic violence , crime, high level of unwanted pregnancies, absent fathers, general decay in moral values 8

Situational analysis (cont’d) These challenges contributed to family disintegration and vulnerability , hence the development of the White Paper on Families It is envisaged that the implementation of the White Paper will result in well functioning and resilient families that are able to nurture and promote care to their family members. 9

Types of Families in South Africa Taking into consideration the legislative framework presented in Section 3, as well as the consensus reached during the consultative process the family will, for the purposes of this White Paper, be defined as: ”A societal group that is related by blood (kinship), adoption, foster care or the ties of marriage (civil, customary or religious), civil union or cohabitation with connections that extend beyond a particular physical residence.” 10

Types of Families in South Africa Types of families: Amongst others Cohabitation; Single parent Families, Female Headed Household, skip-generation h/holds; Child/youth Headed house hold, Same-sex relationships and marriages , Polygamous marriages; Migrants families, etc. Theoretical Approaches proposed Social development approach, Systems approach, Lifecycle approach, Strengths perspective, Rights-based approach 11

Response strategy for families Strategic Priorities Promotion of healthy family life These are recommended strategies and envisage actions amongst others: 1. Affirm the importance of the family 2. Promote positive values and moral regeneration 3. Encourage fathers’ involvement in their children upbringing 12

Response strategy for families (conti ) Family strengthening These are recommended strategies and envisaged actions 1. Support the family in its caregiving function 2. Promote family solidarity Family preservation Prevention , Early-Intervention, Statutory, Reunification and aftercare 13

Coordination, implementation and monitoring structure Coordination – The successful implementation of the White paper on Families will depend on a sound intersectoral and interdepartmental system. – The White Paper on Families will be implemented at different levels of government National , Provincial and Municipality level – Monitoring structures are outlined to ensure proper reporting and implementation of the White Paper by key stakeholders 14

Recommendations It is recommended that the Portfolio Committee on Social Development : Notes the progress made in the development of a White Paper on Families. 15