The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has launched the acceptable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use guidelines aimed at improving service delivery of social protection programmes.

Speaking during the launch, the Ministry´s Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami expressed confidence that ICT guidelines will lead to transparency and accountability in the provision of basic Social Protection Services to poor and vulnerable people.
“The use of the ICT guidelines will enhance targeting of vulnerable households that are supposed to be put on Social Protection Programmes such as the Food Security Pack (FSP) and Social Cash Transfer (SCT) among others; to ensure that those who are deserving are selected,” Ms. Kawandami said.

The Permanent Secretary further appreciated Cooperating Partners for the financial and technical support rendered to the Ministry towards the development of the guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Ministry´s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Director Dr. David Phiri indicated in a presentation that the ICT guidelines will also promote responsible and ethical usage of ICTs among staff within the Ministry, cyber security awareness, promote best practices on usage of ICTs among users and protect sensitive information and ICT facilities.