Lusaka, 21st January, 2025 – The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services is honored to welcome the Social Protection Interagency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B) Gender Working Group to Lusaka, Zambia.
This esteemed group, co-chaired by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the Government of the United Kingdom and the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has chosen Zambia to host their inaugural in-person meeting from January 27 to 30, 2025.
The meeting aims to advance gender-responsive and inclusive social protection policy making and practice.
Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami is elated by the Groups decision to select Zambia as host of the meeting, as their focus is in alignment with government’s mandate to promote gender-responsive and inclusive social protection policies and practices in the country.
Ms. Kawandami says the Ministry looks forward to participating in the discussions and is excited to have this opportunity to learn from the Group’s vast experience.
The PS says Zambia has invested heavily in gender sensitive social protection initiatives adding that the women are the largest category of beneficiaries, under Social Cash Transfer’s Female Headed Households programme.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services PS has further added that her Ministry is implementing the Supporting Women’s Livelihood (SWL) and providing nutrition support for women invulnerable conception up until their baby is age 2 with the first 1,000 days programme, initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of the vulnerable women and children.
She adds that the social protection initiatives are proof of the strong political will exhibited by President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration to reduce poverty and build resilience in the country.6
She is optimistic that during the meeting, the SPIAC-B Gender Working Group will collaborate with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to promote evidence-based decision making to inform investment in gender-responsive social protection.
Issued by:
Glenda Nachinga (Ms)
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
Principal Public Relations Officer – PPRO