Page 22 - Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme - Newsletter

SOCIAL CARE AND SUPPORT SYSTEM

Strengthening The Social Care and Support

System: A Path In The Right Direction

Dr. Robin Nandy, the UNICEF Country Representative signs the Operational Framework for Social Care and Support System. Looking on is Dr.
Aggrey David Kibenge, PS, MGLSD.

very individual, at equally require some level of social
every stage of life, may attention. Given their advanced
encounter unique risks age, they are prone to sicknesses,
and vulnerabilities, which cause them stress and worry.
E which result into In equal measure, persons with
exposure to adverse consequences disabilities also face significant
in their future. Social care and vulnerabilities as they are exposed
support encompasses a wide range to limited livelihood opportunities
of services designed to alleviate which consequently lead them
the social-cultural vulnerability of into a state of absolute poverty
individuals who suffer or are likely and persistent vulnerability. This
to face abuse, neglect, exploitation Beatrice Okillan, Policy and additionally undermines their
Advocacy Coordinator
and social exclusion. Persons in productive capacity, limiting their
need of social care and support ability to access social services as
services include among others; a result of the costs involved of
vulnerable children, distressed proper health care, which can lead say, movement, access to medical
youths, frail older persons, persons to severe implications on their care, assistive devices, rehabilitation
with disabilities, survivors of survival and development. services and personal care and
Gender-Based violence, mentally ill The youth also face challenges support.
persons and chronically ill persons. of unemployment, which can In a bid to mitigate the negative
Taking the lifecycle approach, drive them to additions and other impacts of the above-highlighted
childhood vulnerabilities such as criminal activities. For those that vulnerabilities, the Ministry
malnutrition, neglect, orphanhood, are in employment, they are also of Gender, Labour and Social
child labour, violence, disability, exposed to occupational accidents, Development, in partnership
homelessness, among others, emotional and mental stress, poor with the United Nations Children
hinder a significant number of working conditions, job insecurity, Fund (UNICEF) has developed and
children from accessing vital among others. recently launched the Operational
social services like education and Older persons who have either Framework for Social Care and
retired or are no longer productive

22 ESP PROGRAMME NEWSLETTER / MARCH - JUNE 2025