International Day of Families 2025

Rose Mabiza

01-03-2024

International Day of Families 2025

Image by AtlasComposer via Envato Elements

Family-oriented policies for sustainable development: Towards the second world summit for social development 2025

Each year on 15 May, the world celebrates the International Day of Families, an annual observance led by the United Nations to highlight the significance of families and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing global society. Families are central to our social fabric, shaping communities' values, well-being, and future everywhere.

In 2025, the spotlight will turn to family-oriented policies, recognising their critical role in achieving sustainable development and preparing for the upcoming Second World Summit for social development.

The theme - ‘’Family-oriented policies for sustainable development’’

This theme underscores the importance of policy frameworks that place families at the heart of social and economic development. As we work toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) by 2030, families must be seen as beneficiaries and active contributors to global progress.

Family-oriented policies ensure:

Equal access to quality education and healthcare
Employment policies that support work-life balance
Affordable housing and social protection
Protection of vulnerable family members, including children, older persons, and individuals with disabilities.

UN’s role in championing family inclusion

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) coordinates this observance through its division for inclusive social development. The 2025 celebration will be hosted at UN headquarters in New York, fostering global dialogue and recommendations that will influence upcoming discussions at the second world summit for social development later this year.

The aim is to guide countries in aligning national policies with the SDGs, particularly those relating to:

Poverty eradication
Gender equality
Inclusive education
Health and well-being for all.

The importance of family-centred solutions

Families today face unprecedented pressures: economic insecurity, caregiving burdens, digital transformation, and climate-related disruptions. These challenges require comprehensive policy responses that empower families to thrive in an evolving society.

Key policy focus areas include:

Parental leave and childcare support
Digital literacy and online safety for children and parents
Mental health services and counselling
Elder care solutions for ageing populations.

Supportive policies can break cycles of poverty, enhance social cohesion, and build more resilient communities for future generations.

How can you get involve

Supporting the International Day of Families starts with awareness and leads to action.

Here’s how individuals, communities, and organisations can make an impact:

Review and improve workplace policies to support family needs
Advocate for inclusive legislation that protects family rights
Promote awareness about caregiving, mental health, and gender equality
Invest in employee training that builds respectful, flexible, and diverse environments
Partner with expert providers like The Mandatory Training Group for tailored training and compliance solutions.

Conclusion

The International Day of Families 2025 is a moment of celebration and a vital opportunity for reflection, advocacy, and action. As we move toward the Second World Summit for social development, the time is now to strengthen the systems that support families and ensure no one is left behind.

At The Mandatory Training Group, we are committed to helping organisations embed family-inclusive practices into their workplace culture. Through targeted compliance training and the innovative platform like ComplyPlus™, we support businesses in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive environments. Our services help organisations implement flexible working arrangements, deliver comprehensive diversity, equality, and inclusion training, and uphold legal and ethical responsibilities toward working parents and carers.

By embracing family-oriented policies, we can build more inclusive societies, foster well-being across generations, and achieve the ambitious goals of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Last updated on 14-05-2025

About the author

Rose Mabiza

Rose has dedicated over 15 years to improving health and social care quality through practice, targeted education and training. Her extensive experience includes working with older adults, individuals with mental health conditions, and people with autism and learning disabilities.