Zambia is hosting a Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B) meeting to discuss, and share knowledge, experiences and skills on advancing gender-responsive and inclusive social protection.

This SPIAC-B, 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.

In recognition of how strong and gender-responsive social protection can improve livelihood opportunities for women and girls, and reduce violence, teenage pregnancies and early marriages, the Zambian government has since prioritized initiatives to enhance social protection to address poverty and social inequalities.

Speaking when she officially opened the SPIAC-B meeting in Lusaka, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ensuring that the design, implementation and monitoring of the social protection programmes consider different experiences of men and women in line with the 2030 agenda of leaving no one behind.

Ms. Kawandami acknowledged that amidst the progress made, extending coverage and adequacy of inclusive and comprehensive social protection for women and girls remains essential for achieving sustainable development goals on eradication of poverty and achieving gender equality.

“Zambia’s population is projected at 20 million with males representing 49.9 percent compared to women at 50.5 percent which means that women and girls make up a major part of society and play a great role in economic, political and social development”, Ms. Kawandami observed.

The Permanent Secretary therefore expressed optimism that the outcomes of the interactions will contribute to building an all-inclusive social protection that will prevent poverty and vulnerability through the provision of minimum living standards, promoting enhanced real incomes and sustainable graduation pathways.

British High Commission Acting Development Director, Ms, Berni Smith, speaking at the same event, said the British Government is proud to be part of Zambia’s social protection success story as evidenced by the growth of the Social Cash Transfer programme which currently stands at over 1.3 million beneficiaries whose majority are female-headed households.

“In the past decade, the UK has invested over 39 million pounds and remains committed to working with our partners to unleash the full promise of social protection for the most vulnerable women and girls”, Ms Smith assured.

Issued by:

Chanda Kanswe (Mr)

Public Relations Officer (PRO)

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services