Social assistance programmes in Mozambique
14 November 2007
I've participed on 23-24 August 2007 to a workshop in Maputo (Mozambique) on "Social protection as a mechanism for social inclusion", jointly organized by the ILO and its STEP Portugal project, the Ministry for Women and Social Welfare (MMAS) and RHVP (Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme). The 2-days workshop aimed at strenghtening the capacity of Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and the National Institute of Social Welfare (INAS).
The first
day presented some background on social protection, as well as a series of showcases of social assistance programme (mainly cash transfers) from southern Africa and Latin America. It provides some
evidence on the positive impact on economic growth, poverty reduction and improved access to social services (i.e education and health). The second day serves as a basis to discuss strategies to extend social protection in
Mozambique under the new social protection law. The organizers finally conclude and commit to continue supporting the minister for Women and
Social Affairs, and other national autorities (notably Ministry of Labour in chaarge of the social security scheme) in reducing the decent work deficits, in particular through the eypansion of social protection.
For more information on the workshop, go to http://www.wahenga.net/index.php/views/workshop_view/seminario_aug2007
CommentsOriginal Language:
That workshop seemed to be very interesting. It's always produtive when a group of people gather to discuss situations that need to be improved. Can I make a naife question? How can we see the developtment ot that workshop in action? How does that translate in the daily life of the mozambique women?
HI Angelo and thanks for your comment. You are right, a workshop alone won't make much difference. In this case, it's actually part of a larger process (support by ILO and its STEP Portugal project) to support National authorities (MMAS - Ministry of Women and Social Welfare) and INAS (National Institute o Social Welfare) in Mozambique in shaping their strategy of implementation of their social assistance (cash transfer - CT) programmes. This workshop aimed at giving practical examples on a series of models of social assistance programs around the world, more or less inclusive, i.e linking cash transfers to economic opportunities and access to social services. This workshop remains a mean in building institutional capacity (among MMAS and INAS staff) to improve their action. Other activities (technical assistance) are on-going to support those CT programs, namely a revision of their MIS, an improved relation with the Mozambican contributory scheme (managed by the MoL and INSS - the social security institute), etc. The strategy is not to give "packed solutions" to the authorities but increase their KN and technically support them in order to be able to improve their programs. The final objective is clearly that such inputs improve the efficiency of those CT programs for the poor people. It's a long term goal, but hopefully more sustainable if people in the countries know better how to do things , than import "solutions".