Social welfare services and nurturing socio-economic development

On September 6, 2023, the Annual Social Welfare Officers Meeting convened with a specific focus on assessing progress, addressing bottlenecks, and formulating strategies for the future of social welfare services.

In attendance were diverse dignitaries, including ministers, parliamentarians, stakeholders in social welfare, and social welfare officers, among others.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Hon. Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, graced the event as a representative of the guest of honour, H.E. Dr. Philip Mpango, the Vice President of Tanzania.

During his speech, Dr. Biteko underscored the paramount importance of an unwavering commitment to strengthening social welfare services and systems.

Having attended the meeting, I underwent a profound transformation in my understanding of the critical role social welfare services play in advancing socio-economic development.

This transformation prompted me to seek a deeper understanding of the subject, leading me to interview Dr. Levina Kikoyo, a development practitioner and a visionary leader who serves as the Country Director for Pact Tanzania and the ACHIEVE Project Director.

Her remarkable strategic insight, boundless energy, and transformative vision, combined with her extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing integrated development and humanitarian solutions, offered invaluable insights about the event and the overarching significance of social welfare services in our nation's ongoing journey towards development.

Dr. Kikoyo began our conversation by thanking the Government of Tanzania, particularly the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, for organizing the event that brings together different stakeholders in the field of social welfare.

She emphasized the theme, "Parenting, Upbringing, and Mental Health are Our Collective Responsibility, Let's be Accountable," as a shared commitment to nurturing a thriving and resilient society.

This theme urgently calls for reflection on our role in safeguarding mental well-being and highlights that a strong, resilient nation starts with nurturing strong families and prioritising mental health.

Dr Kikoyo pointed out that social welfare services are not just about compassion; they represent strategic investments in the growth and prosperity of nations.

She further explained the vital role of social welfare services in bolstering socio-economic development and highlighted how Pact's contribution has facilitated this noble pursuit.

According to Dr. Kikoyo, a thriving economy relies on a healthy, educated, and skilled populace. Social welfare services encompass domains such as healthcare, education, and vocational training, which nurture human capital.

She explained that quality healthcare ensures a robust workforce, while education equips individuals with the competencies necessary to compete globally.

By allocating resources to these services, nations can unlock their citizens' potential, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity.

Dr. Kikoyo then discussed the significant impact of the Adolescents and Children HIV Incidence Reduction, Empowerment, and Virus Elimination (ACHIEVE) project.

This global project, implemented in partnership with the Government of Tanzania and funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID, aims not only to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control but also to enhance the social welfare systems and services, including strengthening the capacity of the social welfare workforce.

In the past three years, through the ACHIEVE project, Pact has committed over 20 billion shillings to offer comprehensive and integrated support and services to a population exceeding one million individuals. This includes providing services to the most vulnerable children, particularly those living with HIV.

Their initiatives encompass a wide spectrum of services, such as caregiving, healthcare, nutritional support, education, protection, livelihood opportunities, and psycho-social assistance.

The funds have also been used to procure essential tools to facilitate the provision of social welfare services across national and local government authorities, among other supporting coordination activities.

Further, they have been used to support developing, printing, disseminating, and operationalizing various policy documents, manuals, and guides critical for strengthening social welfare systems.

Some of these documents include the Supportive Supervision Guideline, the National Code of Ethics Handbook for Working with Children, the Gender and Social Inclusion Guide, and the Performance Advocacy Aid for Social Welfare Activities Toolkit.

Additionally, Pact has been instrumental in complementing the government's effort to fortify the Most Vulnerable Children - Management Information System (MVC-MIS).

Dr. Kikoyo emphasized the Pact's pivotal role in developing and facilitating operational tools like the Comprehensive Council Social Welfare Operational Planning Guideline (CCSWOP) and the Planning and Reporting System (PlanRep).

These tools have played a transformative role in efficiently allocating resources for social welfare services. Notably, CCSWOP has emerged as a catalyst for change, driving increased budget allocation and disbursement across councils.

The impact of these efforts is profound. Dr. Kikoyo emphasized that as more individuals and families escape poverty, they become active contributors to the nation's economic growth.

This leads to increased consumer spending and a stronger tax base, benefiting the overall economy. Vulnerable populations also gain access to opportunities, reducing the risk of social unrest and creating a stable environment for economic expansion.

Moreover, social welfare services shield marginalized individuals during times of crisis, such as pandemics like HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other natural calamities, preventing them from falling into extreme poverty and facilitating a faster economic recovery.

Access to services like healthcare and education removes barriers to entrepreneurship and innovation, driving economic growth.

Dr. Kikoyo concluded by highlighting the importance of well-being and dignity in development. "Beyond the confines of economic metrics, development ought to place a premium on the well-being and dignity of individuals.

Social welfare services uphold these values by ensuring that fundamental needs are met, allowing people to lead lives characterized by dignity.