African experts in social protection have urged African governments to mainstream social protection in national development plans and budgets as part of long-term national efforts to fight poverty and inequality.

From 28-30 April 2008, a regional expert meeting took place in Kampala, Uganda, co-ordinated by HelpAge International on behalf of the African Union and funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Seventeen government representatives from Eastern and Southern Africa, civil society groups, NGOs, faith-based organisations, and multilateral and bilateral agencies took part.

The meeting, with the theme “Investing in social protection in Africa”, reviewed progress of African governments’ commitment to social protection.

Experts at the meeting highlighted the urgent need for African governments to take specific measures to address high levels of chronic poverty, growing inequality and the plight of vulnerable members of society.

Need for clear policies

They stressed the importance of including social protection in national constitutions and political party manifestos as a basic human right in order to ensure effective political commitment.

African Union representative, Mrs Sadequa Rahim, said: “Social protection, which is part of social development, includes responses by states and society to protect citizens from risks.”

So far, several countries in Africa have put in place the institutional framework for developing social protection schemes and have initiated some measures. But there is a need to formulate clear policy and legal frameworks, and design programmes that are responsive to different target groups.

Transforming lives

Social protection schemes have been shown to deliver adequate pensions, high-quality and accessible social and health services and better targeted social assistance schemes.

Cash and social capital transfers have transformed the lives of the most vulnerable groups in society including children, older people, those with disabilities, and their families.

These transfers provide them with the means to pay for food and improve their access to health and education, empowering them to become more self–sufficient. They also contribute to economic growth by stimulating local markets.

Encouraging outcomes

The meeting concluded with agreement on a series of key recommendations that will be presented at the first-ever African Union Conference of Ministers of Social Development to be held in October 2008. The conference will review progress in Africa on social development, and discuss a revised African Union Social Policy Framework which includes social protection.

Richard Blewitt, Chief Executive of HelpAge International, said: “Social protection schemes have been shown to promote growth and alleviate hunger. The African Union has brought great leadership to a central paradigm shift towards member states viewing social protection as a right of citizens across Eastern and Southern Africa.”

Dr Tavengwa Nhongo, HelpAge International Regional Representative for Africa, added: “This was an intensive meeting with rich deliberations and encouraging outcomes. We would like to thank DFID for their generous funding of this process and our valuable collaboration with the African Union and other development partners.”

Key recommendations