On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, The Vice President of The Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Mohammed B.S Jallow, delivered the welcoming address at the ECOWAS Meeting of Experts and Ministers of Social Protection held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
During his speech, the Vice President stressed the significance of adopting a regional approach to social protection, aligning with the principles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. He urged experts to focus on the commitment to harmonized policies, referencing the 2018 Social Protection Framework draft and highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the need for refined strategies. The Vice President also emphasized the global disparities in social protection coverage, underscoring the imperative of intensified efforts to address poverty and inequality within the sub-region.
Reaffirming The Gambia's dedication to international human rights declarations, the Vice President outlined the National Social Protection Policy and the newly formulated National Development Plan, emphasizing social protection as a key priority.
Furthermore, VP Jallow expressed gratitude to partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Bank, and civil society organizations, and called for collective action to ensure the inclusivity of the framework.
“I remind you of our commitment and target priority group for social protection in line with Pillar 5 of the ECOWAS Vision 2050. This Pillar emphasizes the need to focus on vulnerable groups to ensure social inclusion and achieve sustainable development. Hence, Member States shall ensure that the Framework applies to all citizens and non-citizens, including certain migrant groups. In line with AU Protocols, social protection in the region and ensuring that no one is left behind,” the Vice President concludes.
In delivering the goodwill message, UNICEF representative in The Gambia, Ms. Mariavittoria Ballotta, underscored the urgency of expanding the reach of social protection. She emphasized the abundance of positive evidence on social protection programs.
Over the next few days, experts worked on the existing draft of the Social Protection Framework, serving as a key starting point for member states and partners to intensify efforts and investments in social protection to reduce poverty and inequality in the sub-region.
