Gov’t, dev’t partners consult on social protection & inclusion priorities in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, June 27, 2023 (FBC) – The Ministry of Finance and the Development Partners Group (DPG) Heads of Agencies discussed on social protection in Ethiopia to reflect on the main successes and key challenges facing the sector.

The meeting was opened by Semereta Sewasew, state minister of Finance, and the current DPG co-chairs, Mr. Ousmane Dione, Country Director, World Bank and Mr. Stefan Lock, Head of Cooperation European Union focused on ways to collaborate on the priority areas identified during the recent High-Level National Social Protection Conference (23-24 May 2023).

During the meeting, Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, gave brief update on Social Protection policies and strategies the government has issued as well as various programs and projects being implemented across the country for the benefit of Women, Children and other segments of the population that are vulnerable to different shocks.

She highlighted that the Government of Ethiopia has placed social protection as an essential instrument in its poverty reduction agenda.

The Minister underscored National Social Protection areas should focus not only on Promoting productive safety nets but also allow for opportunities to create employment and improved livelihoods.

Furthermore, she emphasized that more effort should be made to increase social insurance and equitable access to health, education, and other social services.

Minister Ergoge’s explanation was followed with a brief presentation by the World Bank Country Office which was able to show the Successes, Challenges, and next steps for the social protection agenda.

During the discussion session, DPG Heads of Agencies and Government representatives highlighted that Social Protection is also about social justice and that its realization requires concerted efforts by both the government and development partners.

State Minister Semereta also emphasized that social protection has been at the forefront of responding to the various crises that have struck Ethiopia over the last couple of years.

She reminded about the gains that have been made by advancing an adaptive safety net that responds to shocks and addresses the needs of the rural and urban poor is an important agenda , which has used its established systems and innovations to adjust flexibly to emergencies, be it in response to droughts, COVID-19, locust invasions, or conflict and displacement.

Moreover, the State Minister highlighted that social protection programs target lower-income groups, they are critical in building Ethiopia’s human capital and ensuring that the most vulnerable Ethiopian families have access to vital health and education services, as per the Ministry of Finance.

Going forward she said further consultations and joint efforts will be made to realize the potential contribution of the Social Protection and Jobs sector to strengthen social cohesion in Ethiopia.

Finally, Semereta Sewasew expressed her gratitude to the current co-chairs, Mr. Ousmane Dione, Country Director, World Bank and Mr. Stefan Lock, Head of Cooperation European Union, among others, for their remarkable leadership during their one year chairman ship tenure for the support provided to the government in its endeavor on realization of its national development plan and their contribution to strengthening of development partners and Government of Ethiopia dialogue mechanism such as the High Level Development Forum and the Joint Sector Working Groups.