Citizens groups urge government to adopt social protection pact

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Human rights defenders Senoli Law Centre (SLC) in partnership with the African Social Protection Platform (APSP) have worked with civil society organisations (CSOs) to push 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 Peoples’ Rights was adopted on 6 February 2022 at the 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Its purpose is to provide benefits to individuals at risk of unemployment, disability, maternity, poverty and social exclusion throughout their life cycle.

APSP is a pan-African network operating at the grassroots, national and regional levels, working to strengthen the social contract between the state and its citizens.

It promotes active participation in the development of social protection policies, programmes and practices in Africa.

They stressed the importance of Lesotho joining other AU Member States in ratifying the Protocol and incorporating it into national legal and policy frameworks.

The call to action came during consultations on ratification of the convention.PageThe Maseru Protocol?Last?Week.

SLC Executive Director Reitumetse Mabula noted that for the protocol to come into force, it must be ratified by at least 15 member states.

“The purpose of this conference is to raise awareness of the AU Protocol on Social Protection and Social Security, promote its ratification and develop engagement and follow-up plans,” Ms Mabula said.

SLC Project Lawyer Lepeli Moeketsi stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to bridge the gaps between existing policies and ensure effective social security provision at the continental level. Moeketsi?explain“Despite” political will and recognitionWhy is it important?African Union heads of state say social protection coverage in Africa remains higheditCoverage is relatively low, with only 17% of the population receiving at least one social security benefit, compared to the global average of 47%.

“The AU Protocol on Social Protection and Social Security is an important tool for the 54 AU member states to address issues such as decent work, income security, health care, education, gender equality and climate justice,” said Attorney Moctese.

To enter into force, the protocol must go through five stages: submission to the heads of AU states, signature by each country, ratification, deposit of the instruments of ratification with the AU Human Rights Commission, and incorporation into national laws, policies and planning frameworks. Currently, Niger and Sao Tome and Principe have signed the protocol, and other countries are in the process of signing.

“APSP is working with the AU Secretariat and other civil society organisations to reach a minimum target of 15 countries. Ratification of the Protocol will allow African governments to constitutionally commit to providing social protection to marginalised groups, including self-employed workers,” added Adv Moeketsi.

Furthermore, members of social groups?Portfolio Committee?Mamello Phooko, Lesotho’s representative in the Pan-African Parliament, accused Lesotho of being unable to provide social grants to the vulnerable?CommunityOn the abuse and mismanagement of social development funds.

“The social development sector has enough funds to help the vulnerable, but civil servants are using it for their own benefit. Corruption in government is weakening our country,” Ms Phooko said.

However, the Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (LNFOD) and the People’s Matrix expressed concern that the agreement did not adequately address the vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) community.