The 2025 Social Protection Week has kicked off with renewed momentum, embracing the lifecycle approach aimed at enhancing social protection at every stage of life.
The Ministries of Community Development and Social Services, and Labour and Social Security, together with cooperating partners, today joined the Ng’ombe community to commemorate the week under the theme “Lifecycle Approach: Leaving No One Behind.”
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Ms. Brenda Tambatamba, said this year’s theme is timely as it resonates with the government’s vision to address the root causes of poverty for effective eradication.
She further stated that the government has strengthened the policy and legislative framework to ensure that all citizens are supported from conception to death.
“The lifecycle approach will ensure that all categories of people are not left behind in the provision of interventions for their well-being,” Ms. Tambatamba said, emphasizing the importance of supporting children and adolescents to prevent them from falling into deprivation.
She explained that the government has introduced several protection programmes, including bursaries, loans, and empowerment initiatives, particularly for women, to mitigate the impact of socioeconomic challenges.
Ms. Tambatamba thanked the United Nations and all cooperating partners for their support in making social protection interventions in Zambia both possible and successful.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Angela Kawandami, called for stronger stakeholder collaboration in delivering targeted support to citizens through the lifecycle approach.
Meanwhile, the Head of Development at the Embassy of Ireland, Ms. Kate O’Donnell, praised the inclusivity of Zambia’s social protection policy, noting its practical impact.
“I am impressed with how the policy works out, as it addresses key aspects that affect the lives of our people,” she said.
Representing the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Najmdimi Qada Bilal commended the improved coordination brought about by the policy and celebrated a major milestone, citing the 1.3 million beneficiaries reached through the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
Unicef Zambia
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction-CSPR
Gender Division – GD
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Zambia
