Page 26 - Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme - Newsletter

SOCIAL PROTECTION MONTH 2024

Dr Ibrahim Kasirye (Standing Left), the Director Research at the
care burdens. She illustrated how gender-responsive Economic Policy Research Centre, Makerere, moderating a multi-
social protection, such as maternity benefits, child stakeholder panel discussion
benefits, and inclusive social protection policies, could initiatives, showcased during Uganda’s Social Protection
help mitigate these inequalities by providing financial Month 2024. Organized in collaboration with the
support and addressing structural gender disparities. Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection and
Further insights came from Uganda-based supported by development partners, the month-long
programmes, such as the Girls Empowering Girls event focuses on “Social Protection as an Enabler for
(GEG) initiative, which focuses on adolescent girls’ Human Capital Development across the Lifecycle.”
education, mentorship, and financial support to The initiative underscores the role of social protection
mitigate vulnerabilities like school dropout and early in addressing key development challenges such as
marriage. The programme’s multi-layered approach poverty, malnutrition, and unemployment, which
involves mentoring, cash transfers, and service referrals, hinder Uganda’s sustainable growth. The conference
effectively engaging families, communities, and also announced a National Dialogue set for October
local institutions to sustain impact. Other speakers 29th at Serena Hotel, aimed at reviewing Uganda’s social
highlighted efforts to strengthen social protection protection progress, launching significant reports, and
frameworks, the importance of male involvement gathering key stakeholders, including MDAs, academia,
in caregiving, and addressing structural barriers that CSOs, and the public, to drive collaborative efforts
reinforce gender stereotypes. The webinar underscored toward comprehensive human capital development.
the need for systematic and sustainable social protection The multi-partner press conference had representation
policies to reduce gender inequalities in Uganda and from UPFSP, MGLSD/ESP, WFP and ILO.
beyond.

The Social Protection National Dialogue
Press Conference, 28th October at
Uganda Media Centre held on the 29th October 2024 at
Leading up to the Social Protection National Dialogue, Serena Hotel
the UPFSP held a press conference at the Uganda Media The National Dialogue centered on Uganda’s
Centre to highlight the National Dialogue and some commitment to advancing social protection and
of its key outputs. The press conference, officiated by achieving inclusive development. Key discussions
the State Minister for Gender and Culture, Hon Peace revolved around the role of social protection as a
Mutuuzo, highlighted the Ministry of Gender, Labour foundation for human capital development and a tool
and Social Development’s commitment to advancing to lift vulnerable populations out of poverty. Attendees
human capital development through social protection included government officials, international partners, and

26 ESP PROGRAMME NEWSLETTER / MARCH - JUNE 2025