UNICEM and UNIFEM host discussions in Saint Lucia on social protection systems
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Contact: Amanda-Faye Clarke
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Secretariat, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), this week organised a two-day meeting to deliberate on the way forward for social protection in the region.
UNIFEM's representative to Barbados and the Caribbean, Roberta Clarke, says the discussions are a culmination to a year of intense activity to formulate the region’s response to the current global economic climate, and to strengthen policies in preparation for any future crises.
Ms. Clarke says vulnerable sectors of society such as children and indigenous people are most adversely affected by the instability of socio-economic conditions seen in recent times.
“Indigenous people have very little access to electricity and potable water in the home. There are things that we take for granted all over the Caribbean, that many people all over the world are still lacking. Governments in the region have invested very heavily in the education sector and the strategy to reduce poverty and increase social mobility since the attainment of Independence, yet despite these investments, young people leave school not sufficiently equipped with technical or vocational skills or academic qualifications,” Clarke said.
Miss Clarke also applauded regional governments for their attempts at stabilising socio-economic conditions in their respective countries.
“Government has sought to establish social protection schemes and social security based on contributions and remittances for social welfare schemes now referred to as social safety nets.”
In many instances, Ms. Clarke noted, these schemes are governed by legislation and are clearly regulated but in most countries they are developed through policy guidelines and frameworks. |
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