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Zambia's Social Policy Response to Covid-19: Protecting the Poorest or Political Survival?
[working paper]
Corporate Editor
Universität Bremen, SFB 1342 Globale Entwicklungsdynamiken von Sozialpolitik / CRC 1342 Global Dynamics of Social Policy
Abstract Zambia's social policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic is unfolding against a background of severe financial challenges, a squeezed social sector and limited state capacity. There are also concerns about the upcoming general election in August 2021, which is already beginning to shape policy and s... view more
Zambia's social policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic is unfolding against a background of severe financial challenges, a squeezed social sector and limited state capacity. There are also concerns about the upcoming general election in August 2021, which is already beginning to shape policy and spending decisions. Much of Zambia’s social policy response has focused on the formal sector, despite the country’s large informal sector, high unemployment rate and food insecurity across urban and rural areas. A Covid-19 emergency cash transfer (ECT) has been the most significant social policy intervention to help the poorest households to cope with the effects of the pandemic. However, this programme has been largely driven and funded by international donors, while the government has increased payments to agricultural subsidies and empowerment funds. Claims that the ruling party is using the ECT for election rigging suggests that there is some political interest in this scheme, but other more powerful constituencies - particularly farmers and young people - continue to be prioritised. This reflects the political dynamics of Zambia's social protection response more broadly, with domestic incentives shaping the level of government support and funding directed at various programmes.... view less
Keywords
Zambia; social policy; health policy; epidemic; public health; social support; social assistance; financial assistance; social benefits; development aid; Southern Africa
Classification
Social Security
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Free Keywords
Pandemic; Covid-19; Corona virus
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
City
Bremen
Page/Pages
32 p.
Series
CRC 1342 Covid-19 Social Policy Response Series, 9
ISSN
2702-6744
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0