Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami officiated at the Eighth (8th) Steering Committee meeting under phase 2 of the Government/United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection.

The main objective of the meeting was to consider approval of the 2023 work plan of the programme which has been extended and also consider other related documents which were prepared by the Seventh (7th) Technical Consultative Forum which met on February 1, 2023.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Kawandami reaffirmed Government´s commitment to improving the wellbeing of the Zambian people and ensuring that the poor and vulnerable households were income secure.

She said this was the reason why the programme had been extended from 2022 to 2024, so as to continue providing technical assistance to the implementation of key social protection interventions aimed at reducing poverty, vulnerability and inequalities.

“It is pleasing to note that the outputs and outcomes of the joint programme extension plan have been aligned to the human and social development pillar of the National Development Plan,” Ms. Kawandami Said.

The Permanent Secretary also thanked Development Partners for their continued support to the Ministry through the Joint Programme and towards the implementation of various social protection interventions for the poor and vulnerable.

She further highlighted the need to place emphasis on promoting disability inclusion as well as mainstreaming of nutrition and gender in all social protection programmes.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Country Representative Penelope Campbell applauded Government for the progress made on the National Social Protection Policy of 2014 which was currently being reviewed.

Ms. Campbell said this was an indication of Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of the poor and vulnerable.

She pledged continued technical support towards enhancing Social Protection in Zambia.