This paper examines some of the factors that are impacting negatively on the welfareof African families. This comes in the wakeof the International Year of the Family which sought to draw the attention of governments to the need to develop appropriate and sustainable strategies for enhancing the welfare of the family. It is postulated that the economic crises facing many African countries represents the biggest single threat to the welfare of African families. Thus, this paper argues that finding a solution to the economic crisis is a prerequisite for safeguarding the welfare of the family. Other factors that are crucial in enhancing the welfare of African families include extending social security and population control services to the majority of the people. The author observes that African governments will need to transform their rhetoric into concrete programmes of action if there are going to be an spin-off benefits from observing the International Year of the Family.
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