1. MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Republic of Zambia
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES
The State of Social
Protection in Zambia, recent developments
and way forward
PRESENTATION MADE AT GOVERNMENT COMPLEX DURING THE SOCIAL PROTECTION WEEK
27th to 1st December, 2017

2. Presentation Outline Introduction
Contextual Background of the Social Protection
Social Protection Focus Areas
Contributory schemes
Non contributory schemes
Work in progress
Conclusion

3. Introduction Zambia‘s population is over 13 million people;
According to CSO the National poverty rate is 54.4, with that of the Rural at 76.6 while urban poverty is at 23.4;
Despite sustained growth poverty has been stubborn and inequality is on the rise
HIV/AIDS incidence about 14%; and the
Total labour force in 2014 was at 5,859,225.
The number of Persons living with disabilities is estimated at 7% of the total population.

4. Contextual Background of the Social Protection
Social Protection interventions have been implemented since pre-colonial times;
The Social Protection interventions were however being implemented without a coherent policy framework resulting in fragmentation;
In 2011, during the inaugural opening of Parliament; a presidential directive was given for the MCDSS to come up with the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP);

5. Contextual Background of the Social Protection
In 2014 the NSPP was put in place;
There is currently recognition of the place of Social Protection in national development planning in the Country (7NDP Poverty and vulnerability Pillar)
There are plans to introduce integrated legislative framework to ensure coordination, accountability and transparency.

6. Social Protection Focus Areas:
Social Assistance;
Social Security & Social Health Insurance;
Livelihood and Empowerment;
Protection;
Disability; and
Coordination

7. Organisation of Social Protection in the Policy framework
Social Protection within the Policy framework is organised in pillars comprising of contributory and non contributory schemes:
Social Assistance
Livelihoo empowerment
Social Security
Protection
Coordination
Disability

8. Contributory schemes – Social Security
Contributory schemes include, labour market programs, and protection of workers – including maternity protection financed through workers & employers contributions (payroll deductions)
Covers workers in formal sector
The schemes include:
National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA);
Local Authorities Superannuation Fund(LASF);
Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF);
Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) and ;

9. Contributory - Social Health Insurance (SHI)
The proposed Social Health Insurance model is  single pool, pro-poor program that ensures cross subsidization amongst different population groups
Protects beneficiaries from catastrophic expenses on health;
SHI fits well in the social protection framework as it is part of the  policies and programs designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by diminishing people's exposure to risks, and enhancing their capacity to manage economic and social risks associated with sickness.

10. Non – Contributory Schemes: Social Assistance
Tax Financed programmes: These have taken a form of cash or in kind support, some of these programmes are the Social Cash Transfer Scheme.
Cash transfer currently covers 27% of population and 28% of the extreme poor.
Social Assistance schemes includes
Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS)
Social Cash transfer.
Education support (e,g Keeping Girls in school)
Home Grown School Meals

11. Livelihood and Empowerment
These programmes seek to provide support to households and groups who lack sufficient capacity and entrepreneurship skills including public works;
micro-finance services, agricultural input supplies, women’s empowerment programme, functional literacy;
Empowerment Programmes such as Supporting Women’s Livelihood under the GEWLEL programme;
Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP)
Food Security Pack Programme;
Self Help Programmes and
Village Banking.

12. Protection programmes
The Programmes under the protection pillar seek to strengthen the legal rights of the vulnerable and to provide appropriate support to victims.
Protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation. The programmes include the following issues:
Justice for Juveniles in contact with the law;
Victims of Gender Based Violence;
Victims of human trafficking and child labour;
Adoptions and foster care

13. Cross cutting themes in Social Protection
Coordination: This was identified as a cross cutting issue on all the pillars of the Social Protection to avoid duplication of efforts;
Disability: This is another cross cutting issues running across all the pillars based on the principles of:
participation,
equity and equality,
family and community care; as well as
non discrimination.

14. Vision: Zambian National Social Protection System - A staircase approach
Basic Social Protection – Tax Funded – Non Contributory
Complementary Social Protection - Voluntary
Mandatory Social Protection - Contributory
Level 1
Level 3
Level 2

15. Some key challenges with non-contributory schemes: complementarity and the cash-plus agenda. Move beyond the fear of double dipping
Livelihood and Empowerment programmes to provide a pathway to sustainable graduation
Women's Empowerment
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
Access to Productive Inputs/Enhancement of Productivity
Access to Capital
Skills Training and Tertiary Education
Social Assistance programmes to provide basic needs security and access to essential services
Basic Needs Security
Access to quality health services
Access to primary/secondary Education
Maternity protection
Risk Mitigation and Household Level Shock relief
The Ladder
Promotion
The Floor
Protection

16. Some key challenges with non-contributory schemes: coordination and linkages for sustainable change
Need to better link existing programmes e.g. Social assistance and L&E and protection, also in coordination with other ministries (e,.g. FISP and FSP), nutrition, HIV-AIDS, etc.
7NDP articulates a wide number of initiatives across ministries.
Institutional coordination challenges at national and decentralized levels have emerged clearly from JAR.
Hence the idea of single-windows approaches.

17. Significant progress with coverage and budget expansion in recent years
SCT in 2016 had a GRZ budget line of K 250 million (CPS, K52) covering a caseload of 242,000
in 2017, SCT GRZ allocation was K 500 Million (CPs, K237) and covering caseload of 590,000
In 2018, the GRZ budget line is K550 million (K171)and 700,000 caseload of beneficiaries.
FSP in 2018 will increase GRZ allocation from K40 Million to 80 million.

18. Work in progress Draft National Social Protection Bill
Integrated Framework of Basic Social Protection
Pension and maternity reforms and Social Health Insurance Scheme(SHIS)
Expansion of social security to the informal economy
Single Registry of beneficiaries
Decentralisation
Single window system of service delivery

19. Conclusion
Social Protection in Zambia has come a long way. There is a lot being done in the country by state and non state actors which we should continue to harness through various strategies underway such as the Social Protection Bill, the Integrated Framework of Basic Social Protection and the Single Registry of Beneficiaries.
The Seventh National Development Plan offers a good platform for social protection programmes to be supported and implemented.

20. THANK YOU