The Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Division in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development is in the process of holding consultations with key stake holders to solicit input that will be used to review the National Social Support Policy. As part of this process, Government conducted consultations with the Non-Governmental Organizations on Monday, 29th March 2021 at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, Malawi.
During the consultations, stakeholders made input into the review of the policy through different opinions and observations. They also put in their recommendations which the Ministry assured them will consider when reviewing the Policy.
Among other observations, the stakeholders stated that, mindset change need to be instilled in the beneficiaries especially when it comes to graduating them. They need to be given a period whereby they are to benefit from the Social Protection Schemes and graduate afterwards and standalone to pave way for more beneficiaries to join the scheme in order for the program to reach out to more beneficiaries
Inclusion of other minority groups on the list of beneficiaries was also suggested. Groups like the refugees and asylum seekers which they said, was the responsibility of host Governments. It was observed that in Malawi, Refugees and Asylum Seekers are usually excluded from the Social protection Schemes and yet they are part of the local communities. This, if included will be a policy shift from the current policy direction. It was mentioned that countries that embrace refugees and asylum seekers get a little more support of donations from Donor agencies.
Council for Non –Governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA) observed that, Government’s financial investment and support is always minimal towards Social Protection, relying more on Donor funding which is unpredictable. Therefore CONGOMA urged for more support from Government. It was proposed that if this can be included in the National Budget it would ease a lot of challenges that beneficiaries face.
CONGOMA also observed that there is not enough awareness on what is going on when it comes to Social protection, hence proposed more awareness like creating a deliberate platform for the Social protection Division to be sharing issues that are happening in the Division.
The National Social Support Policy which was adopted in 2012 expired in 2016 and reviews started in 2020. So far, over 50% of people in Malawi are poor and about 24% are ultra poor. The Policy is linked to SDG number 2.