SPIAC-B IMPRESSED WITH ZAMBIA’S SOCIAL PROTECTION TRAJECTORY – Ministry of Community Development and Social Services

January 30 2025
Naomy Tshindaye

The Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B) is impressed with Zambia’s transformational impact of various social protection programmes on beneficiaries.

Zambia is hosting the 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), to discuss, and share knowledge, experiences and skills on advancing gender-responsive and inclusive social protection.

The team led by New York-based Social Gender and Social Protection Lead, Ms. Lauren Whitehead, accompanied by Ministry of Community Development and Social Services officers, conducted a field visit to interact with various Social Cash Transfer and Supporting Women Livelihoods (SWL) beneficiaries in Chongwe District.

The team heard how women have risen from nothing to be dignified members of the community, courtesy of the life-changing social protection programmes and their resilience and determination to change their story.

“The Social Cash Transfer programme coupled with the grants that we receive from the SWL has been transformational as it has enabled me and my family to be food secure amidst various socio-economic challenges exacerbated by the drought the country experienced”, Ms. Elizabeth Njovu from Palabana’s Tiyeseko Women’s Club testified.

Other women who shared their success stories appreciated the government for creating an enabling environment for them to venture and diversify in different businesses that have created viable graduation pathways.

Social Gender and Social Protection lead, Ms. Lauren Whitehead, appreciated Zambia’s strides in the social protection sector which she observed has reduced vulnerability among women while boosting their confidence about the future.

She appreciated the models of the various empowerment programmes being implemented under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services for incorporating the aspect of sustainability, as this enables women to withstand any future socio-economic shocks.