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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 19 Oct 2008 Title: Social grants vital in ensuring access to nutritional food -------------------- Child support grants play a vital role in enabling caregivers to access food of sufficient nutritional quality and variety to meet the needs of their children, writes Gabi Khumalo. This is according to a recent study which examines the use of the child support grant in poor households and reviews the application process and implementation of the grant from the perspective of those receiving the grant. The study, which targeted caregivers of children up to the age of 13-years-old in low income areas, noted that the grant acts as a lifeline for many households in the face of high levels of unemployment. On average the child support grant accounts for 40 percent of reported household income. The child support grant appears to target the most vulnerable groups including those with limited access to basic services and disadvantaged groups, the recipients are primarily women with lower levels of education than those who are not eligible for the grant. This is linked to levels of prosperity as those living in poverty are more likely to have lower levels of education, which in turn makes them less likely to find employment and income generation opportunities. The study further revealed that children in homes receiving child support grants are more likely to attend a crSche or preschool than children of the same age group who were not receiving the grant. Releasing the report during the International Day of the Eradication of Poverty on Friday, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya said the study closely examining the current policy and implementation of the social grant system. This analysis would help government respond to the development of a comprehensive social security strategy, which includes the children, he said. "Our position is that cash transfers should be accompanied by other poverty alleviation programmes and developmental initiatives to ensure the wholesome development of the child including access to health care, education and housing amongst others, which should have a link to the child support grant through improved coordination," Minister Skweyiya said. The study highlighted that the grant successfully targets people living in poor households with a higher proportion of those living in rural or informal areas being recipients than those living in formal urban areas. The minister reiterated that the grant was one of the most effective poverty alleviation mechanisms of government especially in dealing with child poverty. He said it was therefore pleasing to hear that almost all caregivers were aware of the availability of preventive health care measures and free primary health care for children under the age of six years. There is a need to improve the uptake of the grant during the first six months of a baby's life as that is when they are at their most vulnerable, especially during the phase when they weaned off breast milk to solids. "We will continue working hard to improve access to the grant for all qualifying poor and vulnerable children in our country," the minister said. The number of beneficiaries benefiting from the child support grant have increased from 34 000 in 1999 to 8.3 million beneficiaries. It is the largest income cash transfer programme. UNICEF Chief Education Officer Nadi Albino said it was clear from the report that government was making progress with regards to the child support grant. "The result of the review helps the government to be able to keep on track adding that poverty is a holistic process the department needs to do and work in coordination with other departments. "If they are in one point, the public is able to access services in one point," A report, entitled "Towards a Fifteen Year Review Synthesis Report", released by the Presidency in early October found that the social grants system was the largest form of government support for the poor. According to the review, of the total social grants, 62 percent of them went to the poorest 40 percent of households and 82 percent to the poorest 60 percent. In 1995 about 53 percent of households were living below the poverty line of R322 per person per month. In 2005 that figure decreased to 48 percent. - BuaNews |
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