Social audit tools can help enhance accountability

Bhopal, Jan 30: The two-day workshop on 'tackling risks and vulnerabilities- Role of social protection' concluded here with a call for strengthening implementation of various social protection measures of the state. In panel sessions held on Wednesday, experience in targeting and access of social protection schemes in reaching poor, extreme poor and excluded groups from various States were shared by Jitendra Agrawal, Project Coordinator Madhya Pradesh Rural livelihood programme, Marc Socquet from International Labour organisation and Sushila Zetilyn from DFID.

Issues of integrating gender issues into the design and implementation of SP schemes were discussed. It was shared that social protection when designed appropriately, provide poor people with a step ladder onto a sustainable growth path. Karuna, Department of Rural Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Annie Namala of Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, Shonali Sen from World Bank shared their experiences from across India on social audits, and how to enhance local level accountability.

Speaking at the session on 'Social Protection schemes whether they may be accompanied by conditions or unconditional, Rebecca Calder, Senior Social Development Advisor, DFID Bangladesh, shared her experiences on social protection schemes and conditions which can affect the aim of reducing risk and vulnerability for targeted groups. Nirmala Buch President of Mahila Chetna Manch, focussed on social protection and gender issues, need for strengthening implementation and need for programmes which are engage communities. Smita Premchander facilitated the workshop while Taposh Roy State Representative DFID Madhya Pradesh presented vote of thanks.