East African Community strengthens regional response to social vulnerabilities

© ILO

Kigali, Rwanda (ILO News)-The EAC Regional Meeting of Experts on the Draft Social Protection Policy convened in Kigali, Rwanda, from 29 - 31, May 2024, marked an important milestone in the development of a comprehensive regional framework to address social protection challenges. With a focus on marginalised groups, including migrants, children, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, the meeting aimed to review and provide input on the draft policy. Participants, comprising of experts from Ministries responsible for Social Protection, Gender, Labour, and Employment, as well as representatives from National Social Protection Institutions and Civil Society Organizations, gathered to deliberate on key aspects of the policy framework. The meeting was guided by the mandate outlined in Article 120 of the Treaty Establishing the East African Community and Article 39 of the EAC Common Market Protocol, emphasizing cooperation among Partner States in social welfare, employment, poverty alleviation, vocational training, and the development of a common approach towards disadvantaged groups. This introduction sets the stage for a collaborative effort to enhance social protection mechanisms and promote inclusivity and equity within the East African region. 

The meeting commenced with opening remarks delivered by four distinguished guests. Mr. Oswald Nyakana from the Republic of Rwanda expressed gratitude for hosting the meeting and highlighted the goal of improving the draft of the East African Social Protection Policy. The Chairperson, Mr. Victor Makuoth Aruop, commended the Secretariat for convening the meeting and stressed the importance of collective efforts to review and enhance the draft policy, encouraging active participation from all attendees. Ms Aida Awel from ILO acknowledged the presence of distinguished delegates and emphasised the focus on social protection policy in the East and Horn of Africa region. Lastly, Mrs Generose Minani from the EAC Secretariat welcomed experts and delegates, elucidating the mandate for social welfare cooperation among Partner States.  

Dr. Stephen Otieno, the Consultant, presented the draft EAC Social Protection Policy. The presentation covered critical areas such as the Introduction, Situation Analysis, Rationale, and Policy Framework, emphasizing the policy's focus on targeting vulnerable sections of society in alignment with international and regional instruments. Observations and inputs provided during the meeting highlighted the importance of aligning definitions and terminology with international standards, incorporating inputs from Partner States to reflect the latest data and best practices, and ensuring explicit coverage of marginalized and hard-to-reach groups in the policy framework. 

Recommendations stemming from the meeting underscored the need to update the policy document based on inputs, finalise it by June 30, 2024, and develop an Implementation Framework and Monitoring Plan as key annexes of the EAC Social Protection Policy. The proposed Implementation Framework aims to streamline programmatic priorities, establish clear roles and responsibilities, and enhance coordination among Partner States to ensure effective policy implementation. Additionally, the Monitoring Plan will provide a structured approach to evaluating the policy's impact, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring accountability in the implementation process. 

The meeting concluded with a call to expedite the finalisation of the EAC Policy on Social Protection. Participants were urged to actively contribute to producing a high-quality draft for ministerial consideration. The Chairperson expressed gratitude to all participants and encouraged continued engagement in the policy development process. The meeting adjourned with a focus on achieving shared responsibility for implementation and the development of a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring and evaluation of the policy.