Result achieved
Outcome summary
Following consultations with social partners, the Government of Kenya in October 2023 adopted a strategy for extending social protection for workers in the informal and rural economy. The strategy provides clear guidelines to extend coverage and ensure ...
Outcome achieved
Following consultations with social partners, the Government of Kenya in October 2023 adopted a strategy for extending social protection for workers in the informal and rural economy. The strategy provides clear guidelines to extend coverage and ensure adequacy of social protection programmes that are inclusive for workers in the informal and rural economy and outlines specific steps to address major barriers faced by workers in the informal and rural economy when accessing social protection schemes.
ILO's contribution to the outcome
The ILO provided a consultant to support the country to conduct an assessment on social protection coverage to workers in the informal and rural economy workers to establish the magnitude of coverage and identify barriers to access and provide recommendations for possible actions for expansion. The ILO provided support to convene consultative forums with social partners and hold key informant interviews. The assessment finalized in June 2022 provided a foundation for the development of the strategy. The ILO supported the government to convene consultative forums with social partners and hold key informant interviews. Support was provided to have a consultant on board to consolidate views from all partners and draft the strategy document. The ILO supported the convening of the validation forum and finalization of the strategy.
Gender equality & non-discrimination
The strategy for extending social protection to workers in the informal and rural economy lays specific emphasis to bringing more women onboard through cooperations with organizations representing women, such as women-led cooperative societies and social welfare groups, in close cooperation with the Financial Inclusion Fund. It will also support the cushioning of income losses resulting from pregnancy and childbirth among workers in the informal and rural economy through the introduction of a universal maternity cash benefit. Priority will also be given to women and persons with disabilities in design and roll out of economic inclusion programmes with linkage to social protection.
The extension of social health protection to uncovered populations will enable the National Health Insurance Fund to bring on board populations at risk of being left behind in particular refugees, persons with disabilities and people living with HIV reducing the discrimination that they face in accessing healthcare. The introduction of a maternity cash benefit will also enhance access to social protection for women particularly those in the informal economy who suffer loss of income due to maternity and child care and also enhance health outcomes at this critical stage of the lifecycle.
SDG
Goals
- End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all