My Turn

Social protection system

‘It is well-known that social protection systems help to protect vulnerable populations, promote human rights and uphold social justice if designed well, with proper accountability measures.

Malawi, like many other countries, has a higher percentage of vulnerable groups in need of social protection, such as the elderly, refugees, children and persons with disabilities.

According to the United Nations, social protection refers to a set of policies and programmes aimed at preventing or protecting all people against poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion throughout their life cycles, with a particular emphasis towards vulnerable groups

The major question for Malawi is: What policies should the government pursue to improve the social protection system and why?

Systems are already in place, but require improvement and a different approach for greater effectiveness.

One such programme, the social cash transfer locally known as Mtukula Pakhomo, has gone a long way in easing the plight or rather poverty among the poorest or the most vulnerable in Malawi.

The Malawi Government and its partners provide social cash transfers for the labour-constrained households, which cannot afford the barest of their needs.

A unique feature of the social cash transfer programme is that it targets the ultra-poor households with a higher number of dependents or dependency ratio.

However, the monthly social cash transfers may not have adequately served the intended purpose due to various challenges.

Elsewhere, there are alleged concerns about targeting challenges that leads to some inclusion errors. 

However, despite these setbacks, the social cash transfers could assist in uplifting the welfare of poor Malawians if the money reaches the targeted people and is spent appropriately.

Instead of abolishing the programme, the government should engage a consulting firm to properly identify and monitor beneficiaries to ensure accountability. The well-off households should not benefit from the social cash transfers at the expense of the intended vulnerable groups.

Implementing strict penalties for any perpetrators of irregularities in a social protection system abuse is also crucial.

Cases of misuse and inadequate consequences are widespread.

For example, the government has not promptly or severely punished public officers involved in instances of  financial abuse and attacks on the elderly, if media reports are anything to go by.

On the other hand, incentivising media coverage of such cases and involving artists to raise awareness through their work can also help in reducing abuses.

For instance, in Malawi, we already have a blank media levy where all artists who have enjoyed massive airplay in a specific period receive royalties from the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma).

Cosoma could set aside a sum of money for anyone who has composed a song addressing social protection issues. The amount should be from the government as an initiative to protect the vulnerable.

Artists are powerful change agents in terms of information dissemination and social behaviour change. They have millions of followers, with some boasting more fans than important organisations in the country. Using them can help change public perception and actions.

Finally, creating designated service locations for vulnerable groups such as banks, hospitals and shopping malls can enhance their confidence and educate the public on the importance of social protection services.

Public awareness is essential for improving accessibility and effectiveness of these services for those in need.

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