State upbeat on uplifting poor citizens
THE Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has called on all stakeholders to partner and commit themselves towards providing support to the poorest and most vulnerable populations in Zambia.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2017 Social Protection week at the New Government Complex yesterday, Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Emerine Kabanshi said the week was aimed at informing the general public, civil society organisations, policy makers, as well as the frontline of social protection on service delivery.
The week is being commemorated under the theme; ‘Inclusive sustainable social protection, leaving no one behind’.
The minister said the social protection sector in the country had steadily been making progress towards the realisation of aspirations of the vision 2030.
“As the social protection sector, my ministry has been imple- menting the social cash transfer plus HIV/AIDS initiative targeting the adolescents from vulnerable households who are at high risk of infection,” she said.
Ms Kabanshi also said through linkages of programmes and effective coordination, potential impacts from various interventions could be maximised.
She further said government remained committed to uplifting the welfare of the vulnerable in the society through the identification of social protection interventions.
“The Social Protection Bill has already been drafted awaiting tabling before Parliament,” she said.
The minister said government had also put in place the national policy on disability to have persons with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities that were fundamental for living and development by 2030.
“Government remains dedicated to advancing social protection interventions aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability levels in the country,” she said.