To draw attention to the advancements made in the Social Protection system and increase understanding of the value of social services for disadvantaged populations, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment has formally launched Social Protection Week.

This week-long event, running from October 14 to October 20, 2024, marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to reducing social, cultural, political, and economic barriers while shining a spotlight on the work of the Ministry and its partners with stakeholders in alleviating hardship and building resilience for all citizens.

The launch introduced the Social Protection Commission (SPC) Secretariat, which will play a central role in implementing and monitoring the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) and the Graduation Strategy to uplift vulnerable communities.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel underscored the importance of this initiative in creating a more inclusive and accessible social service system.

"The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment aims to showcase the social protection system in Saint Lucia. Social Protection is an umbrella term for alleviating hardship, buffer shocks, and addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities. Since 2012, Saint Lucia has strengthened its Social Protection system under the Joint UN SDG Program with key achievements like the National Social Protection Policy, SL Net 3.0, and improved targeting. We acknowledge four key pillars: Social Insurance, Social Assistance, Social Care and Support, and Livelihood and Labor Market Support. Our collaborative approach with civil society partners and stakeholders is key to achieving our 2030 social transformation and resilience goals," noted Dr. Hippolyte Emmanuel.

The new Inter-Ministerial Committee on Social Protection will guide the policy framework, with regular consultations with the Civil Society Platform on Social Protection, to ensure that beneficiary voices are heard. In addition, a National Social Protection Appeals Board will be established to address concerns about service delivery and beneficiary selection, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Hon. Joachim Henry, Minister for Equity, highlighted the NSPP as a foundational document for reducing poverty and ensuring every citizen has access to the basic rights they deserve.

"The National Social Protection Policy and action plan is critical. It's critical for what we have to do. In fact, it's just the tip of the ice because we've really started the conversation. We've, of course, prepared quite a bit of tools and documents, manuals, and of course, I know the stories about these instruments too well, because sometimes, be they become documents that sit on shelves, and sometimes we do not operationalize it. But I'm happy for some of the more tangible progress that we've made as it relates to this initiative. And of course, I can speak to the collaboration between Koudmen Ste Lisi and the Ministry of Equity. This has potential for really transforming what we do at the Ministry of Equity, and responding to vulnerable population," exclaimed Minister Henry.

The launch of Social Protection Week reaffirms the Ministry of Equity's commitment to strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations, ensuring that Saint Lucia's social protection system evolves to deliver meaningful outcomes for all as work continues towards a 2030 goal of improved social transformation.