Understanding the emerging practices and learning the needs of equitable and inclusive development in urban areas is very important from the prospective of any social safety net. Social Protection systems are as important for urban populations as for the rural. This was stated by Minister of State and Chairperson BISP, MNA Marvi Memon during the Ministerial session at 2015 South-South Learning Forum on “Emerging Social Protection Systems in an Urbanizing World” in Beijing, China. She was representing Pakistan at the Forum. The session was also attended by the ministers from Egypt, Ukraine and Ethiopia, says a press release received here today from Beijing.
Around 250 policymakers from 75 countries had gathered in Beijing for the conference. The conference is a landmark, pioneering event to discuss, share and learn from emerging knowledge and practical innovations on social protection in urban areas.
In the beginning of her address, Chairperson BISP shed light on the economic growth of Pakistan during the present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and able guidance of Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar. She also shared many economic milestones achieved by the present government, putting country on the path of progress and prosperity.
Chairperson BISP, while describing the growth and achievements of BISP as an organization, said that within a short span of seven years, BISP has achieved what many organizations and programs have not achieved in decades. Today BISP is rated among the best social safety net (SSN) programs of the world. BISP has grown at an impressive pace with the number of beneficiaries increasing from 1.7 million in 2008 to over 5.1 million at present. BISP’s annual disbursement has increased from $ 160 million in 2008 to $ 900 million in 2014. The budgetary allocation for the current fiscal year is about $ 1 Billion.
She also highlighted various initiatives of the organization relating to monitoring, evaluation, transparency, education, health and graduation strategies. She said that by exploring new avenues of cooperation and adopting technology based innovative solutions, BISP is diligently working for the welfare of the poor beneficiaries.
In order to strengthen the cooperation between Social Safety Net programs around the world, Chairperson BISP made several proposals. She proposed that a league of Social Safety Nets may be established which will provide a forum to all the stakeholders for sharing knowledge and practical innovations. This forum will help in exchanging ideas and best practices which can be beneficial for the welfare of the marginalized segments of the global society.
Another proposal floated by Chairperson BISP was related to launching of “Sisters in Success” initiative in all the countries having social safety net programs. “Sisters in Success” initiative has already been launched by BISP, under which, three women committees are being constituted. First committee will comprise of international women leaders; second committee will consist of Pakistani successful women and; the third one will have BISP beneficiaries. The chain of these committees will be used for the awareness, empowerment and projection of the poor beneficiaries of the BISP.
In the end of her address, Chairperson BISP proposed to hold the next South-South Learning Forum in Pakistan as Pakistan seeks to strengthen the cooperation between different countries and social safety net programs.
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