The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services says it is ready to forge strategic partnerships that will enhance social protection for the vulnerable in all the 116 districts across the country.
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary , Mrs Beatrice Chilufya Darko says government through the ministry is implementing a lot of social protection programmes and remains open to dialogue, share ideas and collaborate with various partners to promote social security amidst and post COVID-19 pandemic.
She was speaking when officials from the Zambia Centre for Social Development (ZCSD) and Zambia Tax Platform paid her a courtesy call to discuss wide ranging issues regarding social protection.
She acknowledged that COVID-19 has slowed down a lot of progress with regards to meeting certain targets and time lines, but expressed confidence that the situation will change as a result of implementation of immediate term empowerment programmes.
She said it is pleasing to learn that the Zambia Council for Social Development in partnership with other civil society organisations such as the Zambia Tax Platform are implementing a joint project called “Social protection in a COVID-19 era and deteriorating macro economic environment”, whose role is to raise awareness on the role of social protection in addressing poverty and inequality amid and post COVID-19.
Mrs Darko explained the new dawn government’s vision with regards to social protection and extended an invitation to the two organisations to feel free to engage at various levels in order to reduce vulnerability in the country.
“We are happy that we can discuss important issues surrounding social protection and to highlight what we have done so far and how you can also be part of the developmental agenda in line with the new dawn government’s vision to promote and sustain social protection programmes at all levels” Mrs Darko said.
And Zambia Council for Social Development Programs manager, Zebbies Mumba informed the Permanent Secretary that his organization has lined up various programmes meant to supplement government’s efforts in ensuring that social protection programmes are successfully implemented.
And the delegation further said they seek to find out how far the national social protection policy has reached, and assured of support towards women empowerment initiatives through a good policy environment.
