Last Friday, countries around the world commemorated International Day of Families under the theme “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World.”

Mrs. Amanda Denny and her two-day-old baby boy

In this light, as some Guyanese mothers considered the theme and its implications they concurred that mothers are the key persons in families and they face countless challenges, even in everyday routine activities.

Mrs. Amanda Denny, mother of a two-days-old baby boy, pointed out that from the inception of motherhood women are faced with challenges such as complications with pregnancies and childbirth right on towards a lifetime spent raising a child or children.

Mrs. Lukeshia Hollingsworth and her four-day-old baby girl

“Mothers are important but wife abuse or domestic violence can damage them,” Denny asserted.

Another mother, Mrs. Lukeshia Hollingsworth, of a four-day-old baby girl, stated that apart from abuse, which is harmful, the average routine activities can be a challenge if the mother does not have help.

Mrs. Juan Smith

Mrs. Juan Smith, mother of one and grandmother of three, reiterated these sentiments and said and added challenge was finance, which is an underlying factor in everything.

Smith said, “Financially with the present state of things it can be hard for mothers and is a challenge that they face as it relates to raising a family.”

The need for finance to cover all costs, especially education, was a sore point with one mother, Mrs. Denise Moonsammy, who said adequate financing could provide quality education to shape the minds of the children in the care of mothers all across Guyana.

One-month-old Nickel Singh in the arms of his mother, Mrs. Junemannie Singh

“Now she has to care for a baby and for herself at a young age,” the Moonsammy lamented.

She agreed that with financing to give good education the cycle of poverty can be broken.

“Education is important and knowledge is good,” Moonsammy said.

Mrs. Junemannie Singh, mother of one-month-old Nickel Singh, in expressing her views stated that mothers are important and, even though a new day brings new challenges, with assistance mothers can shape a new generation to do great things.

To this end, the focus on the important role of mothers for families and communities around the world cannot be over emphasised.

In his address for this year’s International Day of Families, United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, said: “Mothers play a critical role in the family, which is a powerful force for social cohesion and integration. The mother-child relationship is vital for the healthy development of children. And mothers are not only caregivers; they are also breadwinners for their families. Yet women continue to face major – and even life-threatening – challenges in motherhood.”

As he underscored the importance of mothers the UN Head asserted that currently multiple challenges present themselves in our changing world, but one factor remains constant: the timeless importance of mothers and their invaluable contribution to raising the next generation.

“By rewarding their efforts and enhancing their living conditions, we can secure a better future for all,” he posited.