The Rwandan government has introduced a new social protection strategy aimed at lifting households out of poverty and promoting self-reliance. However, the policy has raised concerns among vulnerable families who will lose government assistance. The number of people under government assistance in Kigali City will be cut from 28,000 to 4,000. The policy change has sparked panic among families who rely heavily on government support to make ends meet.
Louise Muteteri, a 47-year-old mother of four, is one of the families affected by the policy change. She has been relying on government social protection support since 2016 after her husband passed away, leaving her as the sole breadwinner. Her eldest son developed a mental illness, and her 17-year-old daughter had to drop out of school due to pregnancy. Muteteri receives a monthly allowance of Rwf25,000 and covered health insurance, but it barely covers their expenses.
The government's new strategy aims to empower vulnerable families to become self-reliant, but some families are concerned that withdrawing support will subject them to untold sufferings. Muteteri expressed her concerns, stating that she has never worked for any amount over Rwf10,000 per month and cannot afford to provide for her family unless she gets a permanent job. The policy change has left many families wondering how they will survive without government assistance.
The social protection strategy that supports vulnerable families has been in place since 2012. The new policy is expected to limit beneficiaries and focus on empowering them to become self-reliant. However, some families are struggling to make ends meet and are concerned about the impact of the policy change on their lives. The government argues that the programme seeks to empower the needy, but some families are skeptical about their ability to survive without support.
The policy change is part of the National Strategy for Sustainable Graduation, which aims to lift households out of poverty. The strategy is expected to be implemented in phases, with Kigali City being one of the first areas to be affected. The government has not provided a timeline for the implementation of the policy change, but families are already feeling the impact.
Vulnerable families are calling for a more gradual implementation of the policy change, allowing them to adjust to the new reality. They are also requesting more support and resources to help them become self-reliant. The government has not responded to these requests, but it is clear that the policy change will have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of families.
The implementation of the new social protection policy will be closely watched by families, civil society organizations, and the government. The success of the policy will depend on the government's ability to provide support and resources to vulnerable families and help them become self-reliant. The policy change is a significant step towards promoting self-reliance, but it also poses significant challenges for families who rely heavily on government assistance.
Key points
- The Rwandan government's new social protection policy aims to empower vulnerable families to become self-reliant, but it has sparked concerns among those who will lose government assistance.
- The number of people under government assistance in Kigali City will be cut from 28,000 to 4,000.
- Vulnerable families are concerned that withdrawing government support will subject them to untold sufferings.
