Irish Gov’t Reaffirms Support for Zambia’s Social Protection Programmes
The Irish Government has reaffirmed its commitment to continued co-financing of Zambia’s social protection programmes following a high-level visit to Chongwe District by Irish Minister of State, Mr. Neale Richmond, T.D.
Speaking during his interaction with beneficiaries of the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) project, Mr. Richmond expressed satisfaction with the progress of the initiative.
He noted that GEWEL has significantly impacted the lives of poor and vulnerable households, particularly women and adolescent girls, by supporting small businesses and enhancing livelihoods through social cash transfers and empowerment grants.
“I am impressed with the life-changing impact this project has had on the ground,” said Minister Richmond. “It is gratifying to see how Zambian women are using social safety nets and empowerment funds to improve their livelihoods and start small businesses.”
The GEWEL project is a flagship social protection programme jointly supported by the Zambian Government, the World Bank, Ireland, and other cooperating partners. It adopts a “cash plus” model that combines financial assistance with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, nutrition support, and education incentives to promote human capital development and economic resilience.
Minister Richmond also commended the strong and longstanding ties between Zambia and Ireland, tracing back to the 1960s when Irish missionaries were involved in various charitable initiatives across Zambia.
He said the Irish government remains committed to strengthening this historic partnership through continued support for development programmes aimed at reducing poverty and promoting inclusive growth.
Accompanying the Minister, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Angela Kawandami, applauded the Irish Government and its people for their ongoing support. She described the collaboration as instrumental in advancing Zambia’s national social protection agenda.
“We value this collaboration, which has made a tangible difference in the lives of many Zambians, especially rural women and girls,” Ms. Kawandami stated.
During the visit, beneficiaries of both the Social Cash Transfer and Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) programmes expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunities created through the GEWEL project. They shared inspiring stories of how they’ve used the support to escape poverty, establish small businesses, and build sustainable livelihoods.
The GEWEL programme includes several integrated components: Social Cash Transfers, the SWL programme, the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) initiative, nutrition interventions, and Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building (ISSB). These components work together to improve income security, education outcomes, health, and government capacity for effective programme delivery.
Minister Richmond was accompanied by senior officials from both the Irish Embassy and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. The delegation engaged closely with beneficiaries to hear their personal experiences and gain deeper insight into the transformative impact of GEWEL in local communities.
