Page 27 - Social Protection Newsletter

CoVId-19 ChAllenge

Older persons in a Centenary Bank Tent, observing Social distance at a pay point in Kabarole District

the effects of the pandemic requires an protection interventions to avert the grave Assistance Grant for Empowerment
efficient and effective social protection impacts of the pandemic and provide a (SAGE), piloted in 2010 and rolled out
delivery system to respond to crises. hope to the most vulnerable groups in nationally in FY 2019/2020, has been key
The vulnerabilities faced by a number our midst. There is need to further extend in responding to life’s risks and shocks,
of groups including older persons, coverage to deal with social protection including the Covid-19. The programme
women, youth and children, persons with gaps that continue to exist, to cover the has provided a platform for Government
disabilities, the informal sector players, informal sector as well. to believe in the non-conditional cash
have instead been aggravated by the The Covid-19 situation can be turned transfers notion, as a component of social
pandemic. Without government taking into an opportunity by Government protection. The grant has enabled older
urgent action, the country risks losing to harness social protection as a persons deal with short-term and long-
the positive milestones and impacts transformational measure from which term issues of poverty and vulnerability.
already shaped by the social protection the population can benefit They have been able to access social
programmes in place. MGLSD has been at the forefront of services and meet their basic needs.
During celebrations to mark the implementing various social protection Government ought to put more
International Women’s Day on 8th programmes including the Social consideration on programmes that
March 2021 at State House Entebbe, Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) promote economic inclusion focusing
the President of the Republic of Uganda, benefiting targeted older persons, grants on livelihoods, skills development,
H.E Yoweri K. Museveni stressed the need for Persons with Disabilities, Women social protection and public works, as
for social economic transformation to groups, the youth, efforts which continue the country progressively recovers from
empower women through boosting to positively impact communities. The the negative effects of Covid-19.
their household incomes for financial Senior Citizens Grant (SCG) has greatly Efforts should, therefore, be focused
independence. Provision of social impacted the lives of older persons, on building on what already exists while
protection mechanisms can be one leading to community and ultimately accelerating the national social protection
of the best ways to bring about this national transformation. agenda to deliver the much desired
transformation. Just like several other social protection social- economic transformation.
This is the right time for government programmes, the SCG under the Social
to prioritise provision of inclusive social

Social Protection neWSletter 27