Moroke Sekoboto
HUMAN rights body, Seinoli Legal Centre (SLC), in partnership with the Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP), have rallied Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to urge the government to sign and ratify the African Union (AU) Protocol on Social Protection and Social Security.
The?Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security?was adopted at the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly?in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 6 February 2022.
It is a comprehensive document designed to enhance social welfare and promote economic stability across the African continent.
The Protocol consists of 39 articles, with Articles 3 and 4 focusing on the obligations of member states to provide social protection and social security?to citizens. It outlines a framework for establishing effective social protection systems, including healthcare, unemployment benefits, and pensions, with the goal of eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and ensuring the well-being of citizens.
During a consultative meeting on the ratification of the protocol in Maseru this past week, civic groups spoke of the importance of Lesotho ratifying the protocol, alongside other AU member states, to facilitate its incorporation into the country’s legal and policy frameworks.
APSP, a pan-African network working at grassroots, national, and regional levels, is committed to promoting a stronger social contract between states and citizens. The organisation advocates active engagement in shaping?social?protection policies and programs across Africa.
APSP Programme Manager, Cyrilla Heyi, praised the Lesotho government for its existing social protection programs, which include the Child Grant Program, Public Assistance Program, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Bursary, Old Age Pension, and the Fato-Fato public works program.
However, Ms Heyi said there was need for Lesotho to ratify the AU Protocol to strengthen these programs further.
“We commend Lesotho for its legal frameworks and existing social protection initiatives. However, ratifying the protocol will enhance the country’s commitment and align it with continental standards,” said Ms Heyi.
The Lesotho government ratified the?AU Protocol for Older Persons?in October 2018, and Ms Heyi expressed hope that it would do the same for the Social Protection and Security Protocol.
She said the protocol addresses a wide range of social protection issues, including unemployment, healthcare, maternity and paternity leave, and income security. She highlighted that currently, only 17% of Africa’s population receives social protection benefits, compared to the global average of 47%.
“The protocol is critical, as only 17% of Africa’s population currently benefits from social protection programs. Ratifying it will provide African citizens, including Lesotho’s, with greater access to essential services and social safety nets.”
She also acknowledged Zimbabwe, Niger, and São Tomé and Príncipe for leading the ratification process, and urged Lesotho to follow suit.
Ms Heyi further thanked the Ford Foundation for funding APSP’s project, which aims to promote the protocol’s ratification. APSP is working with the AU Secretariat and other CSOs, including the SLC, to secure ratification by at least 15 member states, the minimum required to bring the protocol into force.
Once ratified, member states will be obligated to implement comprehensive social protection programs aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability, particularly for marginalised groups.
The AU Commission’s Senior Social Welfare Officer, Lefhoko Kesamang, called for the protocol’s inclusivity, saying it addresses social protection for informal workers, cross-border migrants, women, children, and persons with disabilities. He?said?social protection coverage in Africa remaind?low and that many programs lacked?alignment with legal frameworks and international standards.
“This protocol covers a wide range of issues, from healthcare to employment injury benefits, and it includes vulnerable populations such as informal workers and rural communities. Its ratification will help address chronic poverty and ensure social protection for all,” said Mr Kesamang.
The SLC Programmes Manager, Lepeli Moeketsi, echoed Mr Kesamang’s sentiments, saying the AU Protocol represented?a comprehensive strategy to bridge the gap between existing policies and ensure effective social protection at the continental level.
“The AU Protocol on Social Protection and Social Security is an important instrument for the 54 AU member states in Africa, with 38 progressive Articles addressing a range of issues like decent work, informal workers, income security, access to health care, education, gender equity, climate justice, just to highlight a few. Making this Protocol comprehensive will bring together various intersecting issues that promote human dignity and equity,” Advocate Moeketsi said.
The Lesotho’s representative at the Pan-African Parliament and a member of the Social Cluster, Mamello Phooko, expressed optimism about the country’s readiness to ratify the protocol. She highlighted the government’s significant investments in social protection, including M917 million for old-age pensions, M40 million for public assistance, and M98 million for orphans and vulnerable children.
“These figures show our commitment to social protection. We may not have ratified the protocol yet, but I believe the government will support it, and I will continue lobbying for its ratification,” Ms Phooko stated.