A two-day social protection conference kicked off in Kigali on Wednesday, 9th of October 2024, bringing together government officials and various partners to discuss the results of social protection programmes, address challenges, and improve implementation.

Besides discussions around social protection and the social contract, the panelists shared the progress and the best practices of implementation of different programmes.

In her opening remarks, Minister of State Marie Solange Kayisire said: The new social protection strategy sets the foundation for a social protection framework that is more inclusive, adequate and adaptable.

Minister Kayisire said: Our main goals are to help people move out of poverty by creating opportunities for earning income, ensuring access to essential services, providing income security and insurance mechanisms to protect individuals and families from shocks.

Discussions of the second day of social protection conference focused on the social protection for human capital and economic impact, sector strategic plan for 5-year period (2024-2029) and key policy actions as way forward.

The conference was officially closed by Minister Musabyimana who emphasized that the efforts in planning, financing, implementing, evaluating and documenting processes will be essential to the success of the NST2 while also strengthening social contract with the citizens.

Minister Musabyimana said: Social protection does not only improve people’s livelihoods, it also gives dignity to the poor, gives them voice and also builds social cohesion and strengthens social contract between the state and the people.