MGECW Highlights Role in Social Protection During Parliamentary Briefing on Malnutrition

MGECW Highlights Role in Social Protection During Parliamentary Briefing on Malnutrition. The MGECW presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Health and Social Welfare, with Mr. Nichlas Mbingeneeko, Acting ED leading the MGECW delegation. The Ministry of Health and Social Services and the OPM also joined the meeting.

The presentation focusing on malnutritionnoted that MGECW does not have a direct function that specifically addresses malnutrition. It further explained that the Ministry previously had a Directorate of Disability and Marginalised Communities, which implemented a feeding programme for vulnerable groups, but this function has since been transferred to the Office of the Vice President.

The presentation also highlighted that the Based ECD Centres are in the process of being transferred to the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, which is significant because it will strengthen early learning, nutrition, and child development under a ministry with a direct education mandate.

It further emphasized that although MGECW is not the lead ministry on malnutrition, it continues to contribute through social protection programmes and grants aimed at supporting vulnerable households.

In addition, the Ministry continues to support family-based ECD efforts, which remain important in promoting early stimulation, care, and nutrition at household level, especially for children in vulnerable communities.

Although MGECW is not the lead ministry on malnutrition, officials emphasized its continued contribution through social protection programmes and grants aimed at supporting vulnerable households. These interventions remain critical in cushioning families against poverty and ensuring that children in disadvantaged communities have access to basic needs.

The Ministry also highlighted its ongoing support for family-based ECD efforts, which promote early stimulation, care, and nutrition at household level. Such initiatives are particularly important for children in vulnerable communities, where family structures play a central role in child development.

The engagement underscored the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration in tackling malnutrition, with MGECW reaffirming its commitment to complementing national efforts through social welfare and protection measures.