Social policy and social protection

UNICEF’s goal for social policy is to decrease inequity and ensure a significant reduction in multi-dimensional child poverty. We are working with the Government to increase the number of children from the poorest and most vulnerable households who benefit from child-sensitive policies. In 2020, we worked with partners to develop knowledge products and recommendations for influencing social sector spending and supported the National Treasury to enhance its effectiveness in budgeting, reporting and accountability in the use of public resources.

UNICEF is also supporting cash transfers and other social protection interventions that shield children from the adverse effects of poverty, while enhancing access to essential services. We aim to strengthen and expand the social protection sector and are working with the Government on the introduction of a universal child benefit.

On a practical level, we are supporting Cash Plus programmes for the most vulnerable families. In addition to regular cash transfers, these include services such as health, nutrition and child protection counselling. We also provide solar-powered lights to provide access to clean energy and help children study in the evenings.

COVID-19 response

The measures to contain COVID-19 also affected families financially. Curfews, travel restrictions and market closures reduced people’s incomes. UNICEF responded by increasing cash transfers to more than 12,000 of the most vulnerable families across Kenya. Cash transfers are among the most effective ways to support families during emergencies, because parents are best placed to decide what their children need most, whether this is food, medicine, clothes or shelter.

Social policy in numbers