International Day of Families 2021: Theme And Significance Amid COVID-19

International Day of Families 2021: Families and new technology is the theme for International Day of Families this year.

The International Day of Families is marked every year on 15th May. A United Nations-designated day, the International Day of Families, focuses on key issues central to the well-being of families across the world like health, education, children's rights, gender equality, work-family balance and social inclusion among others. The coronavirus pandemic has suddenly pressed the pause button on the daily routine of people's lives. Lockdowns forced families to stay at home. Schools have been closed and offices shut. Technology became the only way to stay in touch with friends and family. Tip-toeing in the virtual space seems to have become the dominant activity for many of us. New technologies are now the only way out. The theme of this year's International Day of Families is: Families and New Technologies. According to the background document of  this year's theme, ''The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of digital technologies for work, education and communication. The pandemic has accelerated technological changes that had already been underway both in society and at work, including the expanded use of digital platforms and related technological innovations like cloud computing and the use of big data and algorithms...".