CCZ sees need for Church to take keen interest in social protection agenda

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) says there is need for the church to take keen interest in the social protection agenda with an emphasis on the design and implementation of new policies and programmes.

CCZ accountable, governance program officer, Nsama Chikwanka says the package of social protection programs in Zambia, broadly categorized as contributory and non-contributory reach only a small portion of the vulnerable and poor in Zambia hence the need for the church to take a leading role.

Mr Chikwanka says the formal contributory schemes are more elaborate than the non-contributory programs although these too are limited in scope as they focus mostly on the provision of protection against the loss of income resulting from retirement, disability and death.

And International Labour Organization (ILO) representative Mwenya Kabaso has called for increased coverage of social protection programmes in Zambia especially for the majority poor.

Ms. Kabaso observed that majority of Zambians have been excluded from social protection because they work in the informal sector.
She notes that people are without adequate social protection at a time when it is most needed.