Chisinau, 10 May 2010 - Moldova holds the Family Festival dedicated to the celebration of the International Family Day, marked every year on May 15.  The second edition of the Family Festival in Moldova has at it base promotion of family values such as love, mutual respect, equal sharing of household responsibilities, fighting all forms of violence against women, children, and older persons.

The event also is supported by local public authorities being expanded nationally throughout 10 districts: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Drochia, Vulcanesti, Rezina, Soldanesti, Telenesti, Calarasi and Dubasari. The Family Festival National Action Plan has been developed to insert national and local activities, including competitions for high school students, information and public awareness raising events, festive events, etc. The Family Festival dedicated to Family Day will be held during 10 -15 May in 10 districts of the country. The event will culminate on May 16 with a public festive event in Stefan cel Mare Public Park in Chisinau, bringing together participants from the municipality and other parts of the country.

Referring to the need to organize such an event in Moldova, Ion Negrei, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Issues, told at the Festival launching press conference that the family, as a social entity, is facing a series of challenges, including high rates of divorce, abandonment, domestic violence. etc. "In any state, health and prosperity of society is directly proportional to family health, that is why we need a multilateral and complex response to these problems, involving authorities, international organizations, civil society and community," said Ion Negrei.

Valentina Buliga, Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family said that "support and protection of families with many children, families with disabled members, the elderly, and vulnerable families is a priority. We will continue to support these families by allocating social benefits, but also by promoting alternative models of family, such as foster family, family-type houses, professional parental assistance service, families which educate and take care of children under guardianship/curatorship.

Boris Gilca, UNFPA Deputy Representative said that by launching and deploying of the Family Festival with the motto “Values create family; the family creates values" organizers would like to draw public attention to the problems faced by families and to how find solutions to overcome them. "We welcome the fact that the Moldovan Parliament has declared May 15 the Family Day, being included in the list of official holidays this year. We appreciate the efforts of the Moldovan Government and local public administrations in organizing and promoting this event. Certainly, this week people will be more informed and sensitive to their families, acknowledging the major role that family plays in the lives of each of us and society in general.

International Family Day is celebrated in accordance with the decision of the United Nations General Assembly’s Resolution 47-237 adopted on 20 September 1993. In 2010, Family Festival is organized jointly by UN agencies and the Government of Moldova.