To provide a platform for an engaging conversation between African Governments, civil society organizations, and people affected by COVID-19 on how to address critical social protection gaps exposed by pandemic and progress towards inclusive and rights-based social protection, the African Union, the Africa Social Protection Platform, HelpAge International, WIEGO, Save the Children, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) – Zambia, and the ILO Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa are organizing a virtual dialogue made up of three connected webinars. The conversation revolves around the VOICES of affected populations, the ACTIONS of Governments to expand social protection during COVID-19, and Africa’s VISIONS for social protection as part of an inclusive recovery.

In this second webinar of the African Dialogue on COVID-19 and the Future of Social Protection series, we learned about the state of social protection in Africa and social protection responses to the COVID-19 crises from governments across the continent. In an engaging conversation, we heard directly from governments about the actions they have taken to expand social protection to various population groups during the crisis and what lessons they will take forward. The webinar enabled participants to ask questions directly to governments and partners that presented. 

The sessions were live translated into English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. The French interpretation was recorded and can be found here.

 

Speakers:

Dramane Batchabi, Social Protection Technical Specialist - ILO Decent Work Team for West Africa

John Gachigi, Director, Directorate of Social Assistance, State Department for Social Protection, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Government of Kenya

Mr Apera Iorwa, National Coordinator National Social Safety Nets Coordination Office (NASSCO) Nigeria

Dr Gift Dafuleya, University of Venda, University of Johannesburg/Southern African Social Protection Experts Network (SASPEN)

Carole Agengo, Africa Regional Representative, HelpAge International 

 

Chairperson: Simon Nhongo, Zimbabwe Social Protection Platform, Southern Africa Representative African Platform for Social Protection 

 

This is the second webinar of the African Dialogue on COVID-19 and the Future of Social Protection series, jointly organised by the African Union, the Africa Social Protection Platform, HelpAge International, WIEGO, Save the Children, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) – Zambia, and the ILO Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa.