Page 19 - Social Protection Newsletter

Nsr suCCess storIes

that the life expectancy at birth for a Ugandan is
63.3 years, with the male at 62.2 years while the
female at 64.2. These demographics additionally
confirm that the female older persons are more
in number compared to their male counter parts.
In an effort to reduce gender inequalities and
challenges associated with it and other forms of
vulnerabilities, Government established Social
Protection programmes which help bridge the
gap. The SAGE Senior Citizens’ Grant (SCG) is one
of such interventions. The SAGE programme has
allowed older women an opportunity to engage
in income generating activities which in turn
has empowered them to meet personal needs
without having to wait on their husbands or
children for provision.
In 2011, the Uganda Government, in partnership with the UK Department for Evidence from the Pilot phase of the Expanding
International Development, Irish Aid and the United Nations Children’s Fund, Social Protection programme (ESPI) indicates
launched the Senior Citizens Grant as part of the wider Social Assistance Grants for
Empowerment (SAGE). that the Grant has resulted into an increase in
productivity as older persons are now able to hire
-FCDO, formerly UK’s Department for International labour to open their gardens. This has eventually
Development (DFID), Irish Aid and (initially) United translated into increased food production,
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Government, improved nutrition and household income.
through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Having enrolled The programme has provided a platform for
Development (MGLSD) launched the Expanding on to the sage the older women to engage in conversations
Social Protection (ESP) programme in 2010. A core programme, where their voices are heard. Consistently, reports
element of the ESP programme is the pilot of the Bonabana was of improved participation in community affairs,
Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), able to renovate improved sense of self-esteem and empowerment
under which Government provides a monthly continue to be witnessed in various places. Older
grant of Shs.25,000 to older person – known as her house, buy persons, especially women, report feeling less
the Senior Citizen’s Grant (SCG). goats for farming discriminated against in their communities and
The success of the Pilot phase of the Expanding at household level more valued by their families because they are now
Social Protection programme (ESPI) together with and materials from able to make social contributions to community-
overwhelming positive impacts realised over the which she started based functions.
years led to popular demand for extension of the makes mats for With the implementation of the SAGE national
grant to other parts of the country. On this basis, sale. rollout, the multiplier effects are beginning to
Government in November 2019 made a decision be seen. For instance, communities are already
to roll out the programme to all districts in the experiencing positive strides through increased
country, starting with people who are 80 years purchasing power in the community. In some
and above. Notably, beneficiaries in pilot districts places, several mushrooming small scale businesses
who were already enrolled on the programme continue to flourish, due to investment of funds
continue to receive the grant even when they from the Senior Citizens Grant.
are below 80. The Ministry of Gender, Labour The empowerment of women is essential for
and Social development (MGLSD) completed the Uganda’s economy to realise the SCG. This can
national roll out in August 2020 and to date, the be achieved through upholding the rights and
programme is reaching 304,155 older persons hearing of voices of older women.
(179,750 female; 124,805 male) in all 146 districts in Though the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has
the country, representing 59% female; 41% male. greatly affected older women in equal measure,
According to the Uganda National House Survey Government’s commitment to continuous
(UNHS) 2016, older persons (SCG) make up 3.7% of implementation of social protection programmes
Uganda’s population. This is because of the increase gives them hope for a better future in a Covid-19
in life expectancy. The UNHS report mentions world.

Social Protection neWSletter 19