Penang celebrates Family Day online for second straight year

GEORGE TOWN, July 31 -- The third edition of Penang state-level Family Day 2021, celebrated online for the second straight year following the COVID-19 pandemic, has lined up various exciting activities to promote quality time among family members.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said in this year’s celebrations, themed 'Happy Family, Bright Future', organisation of various appropriate online activities had been selected to enable all family members to participate, starting today until Aug 28, through the Facebook page of the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), as the event co-organiser.

“Parents can take this opportunity to strengthen family ties with various activities at home according to their priorities and suitability,” he said after officiating the Penang state-level Family Day 2021 celebrations via Zoom webinar in Komtar, today.

Meanwhile, the state Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman, Chong Eng said among the interesting activities that had been lined up included virtual training, creative board games and artworks as well as online forums that would help family bond.

She hopes the public can take advantage of the month-long celebrations and spend quality time with their loved ones.

“According to the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, in April 2021, quality time with family, as well as good family relationships can lead to lower mental health symptoms.

“The same report also stated that a good family environment also increases children's resilience and has a positive impact on their mental health,” she said.

She added that the Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK) and the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) will help any families affected by the pandemic in terms of home-based business projects, as an initiative in supporting those who have lost their income.

“I would like to assure everyone that the state government will always be with the people, to face this challenge together as we are fully aware of the difficult situation that the people are going through at this time,” she said.

-- BERNAMA