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The Zimbabwe Integrated Social Protection Management of Information System (ISPMIS) has been launched in Harare today.
In his address during the launch, Hon Prof Paul Mavima, the Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, said the Government of Zimbabwe has set Information Communication Technologies as enablers of economic growth.
This has seen Government investing a lot in Information Communication Technologies as part of the broader programme of modernizing its work processes. The thrust is to utilize information and communication technologies and digital technologies in the provision of Government services with a view to enhancing service delivery for the benefit of the ordinary Zimbabwean in pursuit of working towards achieving vision 2030 which is Towards a prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare is mandated to provide relief to socio-economic, climate, and natural disaster-induced hardships for the people of Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) of 2016, recommended the creation of an Integrated Social Protection Management Information System for better management of social protection programs in Zimbabwe. This is further emphasised in the National Development Strategy 1 as it is given as one of the major outputs expected from the Social Protection Thematic Area.
“I am glad that soon after this launch, the National Social Protection Steering Committee (NSPSC) which oversees the development and operationalisation of the Social Protection Policy in the country, will be meeting. This is commendable as it will allow for greater coordination amongst social protection partners in the integration of social protection programmes,” Prof Mavima said.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development; Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services; World Bank; UNICEF; WFP; Synergy; Africom; among other stakeholders, worked hard in the development of the system, training of officials, piloting and testing of the system and supported both technically and financially.
This system is envisaged to enable a harmonised implementation and monitoring of social protection programmes, while ensuring transparency and good governance of social protection programming. Interlinkages are to be created, for example, with the Civil Registry Department so as to ease the registration of beneficiaries and avoid duplications.
Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative for Zimbabwe, speaking on the same occasion, reiterated UNICEF’s support for social protection programs in a harmonized and integrated manner. He also appreciated the collaboration between the Government and UNICEF in expanding the geographical coverage of the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer program and highlighted his organisation’s continued commitment to supporting the refining and implementation of the ISPMIS.
“We have also committed to supporting the review of the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer Operations Guidelines and the establishment of a Grievance Redress System as part of investment in systems improvement. We appreciate the collaboration between our organizations in expanding the geographical coverage of the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer program,” Dr. Oyewale said.
UNICEF facilitated the transition of 25,000 households from the Emergency Social Cash Transfer program in 8 urban districts to the Government’s Harmonized Social Cash Transfer program. Furthermore, we it is currently working with the ministry in charge of social welfare to support an additional 18,600 households in 5 rural districts, with the registration process nearing completion.
UNICEF contributed to the development and will continue to support the Ministry’s Case Management (MIS), the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer MIS, and the Basic Education and Assistance Module MIS through its CPF. The launch of the ISPMIS sets the foundation for efficient service delivery in social protection programming. This comprehensive information system will contribute towards addressing issues such as fragmentation, duplication, double dipping, and overlaps. The system will enhance the sector’s efficiency.
Despite the achievements thus far, Dr. Oyewale said there are areas of further improvement for which technical and financial support will be required to fully optimize the ISPMIS. UNICEF reiterated its commitment to working alongside the Ministry on this journey since it believes in the potential of a fully-fledged system to improve its programme and reporting in the social protection sector.