Introducing cash transfers as a form of social protection for orphans and (other) vulnerable children in Zimbabwe :lessons from other African countries.

MoLGPWNH – Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. MoPSLSW – Ministry of Public Services, Labor and Social Affairs. MoYDGEC - Ministry of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation NAP for OVC - National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children OVC - Orphans and other Vulnerable Children.

INTRODUCTION

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC

This research is centered on the introduction of social cash transfers as a form of social protection for OVC in Zimbabwe. This research is useful to examine how other countries have adapted their social protection strategies to benefit OVC by introducing social cash transfers.

OBJECTIVES

This will provide a basis for understanding the gaps and shortcomings in current social protection mechanisms for OVC in Zimbabwe and the need for innovative mechanisms such as social cash transfers. In addition, the researcher will propose the path Zimbabwe should take for the introduction of social cash transfers for OVC using lessons of good practice from other African countries.

METHODOLOGY

The third objective is to critically analyze the effectiveness of the current social protection mechanisms available to OVCs in Zimbabwe. The aim of this analysis is to assess whether these current mechanisms have been successful in improving the situation of OVC.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEFINITION OF ‘ORPHAN AND

INTRODUCTION

Definition of ‘Orphan’
Definition of ‘Vulnerability’
Definition of ‘Orphans and Vulnerable Children’

The concept of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) is a social construct that varies from culture to culture. For the purpose of this study, the definition of 'vulnerability' in Zimbabwe will be used.44 The term 'OVC' was introduced to avoid the narrow focus on orphans at the expense of other vulnerable children.

THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE SOCIAL PROTECTION OF ORPHANED AND

GLOBAL COMMITMENTS
REGIONAL COMMITMENTS

49 Committee on the Rights of the Child (2003) General Comment No. 5: General measures to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Articles 4, 42 and 44(6)) United Nations 3. As with the CRC lack of resources is not an exemption for failure to implement the rights in the ICESCR.

CONCLUSION

Although there is a wide range of social protection mechanisms to assist OVCs and their households, this research suggests that social cash transfers should take precedence over other mechanisms. The advantages of social cash transfers over other social protection strategies will be highlighted in Chapters 3 and 4 of this research.

SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS: CONCEPT AND USE

INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS

Unconditional Cash Transfers
Conditional Cash Transfers

CONDITIONAL OR UNCONDITIONAL TRANSFERS? AN EVALUATION
TARGETING BENEFICIARIES OF SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS

Categorical Targeting
Self Targeting
Individual or Household Assessment
Community-Based Targeting
Geographical Targeting

MANAGING SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS PROGRAMMES
BENEFITS OF SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS
CONTROVERSIES REGARDING SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS
CONCLUSION

Social cash transfers can take the form of conditional cash transfers and unconditional cash transfers, as described below. This thesis distinguishes between two types of social cash transfers, namely unconditional cash transfers and conditional cash transfers. Management of social cash transfers involves, firstly, deciding the amount of the transfer to be paid to the recipients.

One of the criticisms of social cash transfers is the high exclusion rate due to targeting. Moreover, the positive effect of social cash transfers in stabilizing consumption is largely determined by the frequency of the transfer. Social cash transfers are a very beneficial social protection mechanism to protect OVC and their families.

SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS FOR THE PROTECTION OF

THE KALOMO PILOT SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER SCHEME OF ZAMBIA

INTRODUCTION
HISTORY, RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND
TARGETING BENEFICIARIES
LEVEL OF TRANSFER, DELIVERY OF TRANSFER AND THE INTENDED USE
STATISTICAL COVERAGE OF THE KALOMO PILOT SCHEME
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
AN EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF THE KALOMO PILOT SCHEME
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TARGETING AND DELIVERY MECHANISM OF THE
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
CONCLUSION

An evaluation of the Kalomo Pilot Scheme also showed a marked improvement in the nutritional diversity of beneficiaries in recipient households256. Regarding the impact of the Kalomo Pilot Scheme, the evidence highlighted in the above paragraphs shows that it is beneficial to the recipients, their households and the community as a whole. The Kalomo Pilot Scheme payment system is the most suitable given the limited infrastructure and accessibility issues.

The growing acceptance of the positive impact of social cash transfers as a means of assisting OVC and their households worldwide has led to the adoption of cash transfer programs in Zambia. An evaluation of the Kalomo pilot scheme showed a positive impact of cash transfers among participating households in terms of improved health, increase in school enrollment and reduction in poverty levels. It is recommended that the Government of Zambia gradually take over the financing of the cash transfer programs through government budget allocations.

THE MCHINJI PILOT SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER SCHEME, MALAWI

HISTORY, RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND OF THE MCHINJI PILOT SOCIAL
LEVEL OF TRANSFER, DELIVERY OF TRANSFER AND THE INTENDED USE
STATISTICAL COVERAGE OF THE MCHINJI PILOT SCHEME
AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE MCHINJI PILOT SCHEME
Effectiveness of the Targeting and Delivery Mechanism of the Mchinji Pilot
CONCLUSION

The targeting criteria of the Mchinji pilot scheme are the same as those used in the Kalomo pilot. 294 Miller, C, Tsoka, M & Reitchet K (2008) Operations Report: External Evaluation of the Mchinji Social Cash Transfer Pilot Center for International Health and Development, Boston University and Center for Social Research, University of Malawi 1. 311 Miller, C , Tsoka , M & Reitchet K ( 2008 ) Impact Evaluation Report External Evaluation of the Mchinji Social Cash Transfer Pilot Center for International Health and Development Boston University and Center for Social Research 16 .

The Mchinji pilot program had a significant impact on the health and nutrition of the intervention households. 326 Miller, C (2009) Economic impact report of the Mchinji Social Cash Transfer Pilot Center for International Health and Development, Boston University and Center for Social Research 15. 335 Miller, C, Tsoka, M & Reitchet K (2009) Targeting Report External Evaluation of the Mchinji Social Cash Transfer Pilot Center for International Health and Development, Boston University and Center for Social Research 16.

SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER SCHEMES IN SOUTH AFRICA

HISTORY AND RATIONALE
THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT
AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT IN
Effectiveness of the Targeting/Eligibility Criteria and Delivery Mechanism of the
CONCLUSION

360 Delany, A, Ismail, Z, Lauren, G & Ramkissoon, Y (2008) Review of Child Grants: Applications, Implementation and Obstacles UNICEF 6. The receipt of the grants in South Africa has had a positive impact on school enrollment and attendance of children. Cash grants in South Africa have a positive impact in improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable people, including OVC.

394 Biyase, ME (2005) A Simple Analysis of the Impact of the Child Support Grant on the Fertility Rate in South Africa Paper delivered at the Economic Society of South Africa Conference 2005, 7. Furthermore, the South African social security system is funded by the government through tax revenue, thus the sustainability of the social grants in South Africa more secure than in Zambia and Malawi. The main obstacle to the implementation of the cash grants in South Africa is the means test, which has been subjectively interpreted due to a lack of guidance.

LESSONS LEARNED AND CONCLUSIONS

The success of the South African social assistance system was attributed, among other things, to the commitment of the government and civil society and the constitutionalization of the right to social security. Evidence from the countries studied shows that recipients allocate a significant amount of the transfer to the needs of children. Of the three countries studied, only South Africa funds its cash transfer programs from local sources.

Malawi and Zambia rely heavily on donors to fund cash transfer programs, with little assistance from the government. Ideally, cash transfer programs should depend on public funds, with donors financing only a small part of the budget.418. In Chapter 5, the researcher will indicate how Zimbabwe can implement a social cash transfer program targeting OVC.

THE CASE FOR CASH TRANSFERS FOR OVC IN ZIMBABWE

INTRODUCTION
CURRENT SOCIAL PROTECTION MECHANISMS IN ZIMBABWE
THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN
INTRODUCING CASH TRANSFERS FOR OVC IN ZIMBABWE

POVERTY ASSESSMENT
EVALUATION OF EXISTING SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES
BUDGETING AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION
LEVEL AND DELIVERY OF TRANSFER

CONCLUSION

This could indicate the need to introduce social cash transfers to replace some of the current social protection mechanisms. It will be imperative for the researcher to discuss the institutional structure of the NAP for OVC because this structure can be useful for the introduction and implementation of social cash transfers in Zimbabwe. It is suggested that social cash transfers may be a desirable option than BEAM to meet the educational needs of OVC.

It is important to discuss the key institutional players of the NAP for OVC because the researcher believes that they can be important players in the introduction and implementation of social cash transfers. Thus, the institutional framework for the NAP for OVC can be used to implement social cash transfers. Concluding from the current social protection strategies for OVC in Zimbabwe as discussed above, it is imperative that cash transfers are introduced to replace some of the pre-existing mechanisms such as the BEAM and the food aid programme, which have proven inadequate.

Table 1: The Institutional Structure of the NAP for OVC 476

CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATIONS

CONCLUSIONS

A decision needs to be made on how to approach beneficiaries, on the level of transfers to be paid, on the regularity of payments and on the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Monthly transfers provide beneficiaries with certainty in deciding how to distribute their expenditure.504 Zimbabwe can also introduce social cash transfers on a monthly basis. In terms of the level of transfer, the researcher found that most low-income African countries set the amount payable as transfer at the smallest affordable amount.

Ensuring that OVC benefit from cash transfers does not mean that the transfers must go directly to them.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that the institutional structure of the NAP for OVCs be used to implement the cash transfer program in Zimbabwe. Successful applications should be forwarded to the Provincial Child Protection Committee (PCPC), which should be in charge of implementing and coordinating the cash transfer program at the provincial level. The PCPC should be responsible for disbursing social cash transfer funds at payment points.

The DCPC should also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the conduct of the CLCPC. The PCPC should be responsible for the implementation and coordination of the cash transfer program at the provincial level. The Cabinet of the Republic of Zimbabwe should be responsible for approving policies such as the proposed cash transfer programme.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

P RIMARY S OURCES

National law and International Conventions
International Documents
Cases

S ECONDARY SOURCES

Books
Chapter in books
Journal Articles
Electronic Media

Biyase, ME (2005) A simple analysis of the impact of the Child Support Grant on the fertility rate in South Africa Paper delivered at the Economic Society of South Africa Conference 2005 http://www.essa.org.za/download/2005Conference /Biyase2.pdf accessed 26 August 2010. Conning, J & Kevane, M (2000) Community-based targeting mechanisms for social safety nets Center for Development Economics http://www.williams.edu/Economics/wp/cbt.pdf accessed on April 20, 2010. Children's Institute http://childrencount.ci.org.za/indicator.php?id=1&indicator=46 accessed August 10, 2010.

DFID (2005) Can low-income countries in Africa afford social transfers DFID Social Protection Briefing Note Series Number 2 http://www.gsdrc.org/docs/open/SP18.pdf accessed 25 April 2010. Overseas Development Institute http:/ / www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/4694.pdf accessed 30 August 2010 Hall, K (2010) 'Demography- Children in South Africa' Children's Institute. Slater & Farrington (2009) Targeting social transfers: a review for DFID Overseas Development Institute http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/4521.pdf accessed 25 March 2010.