Government has intensified efforts to strengthen social protection systems and expand inclusive social development programmes as it moves to align community-level welfare interventions with the goals of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Concluding the second day of an induction training programme for newly recruited Social Development Officers in Harare yesterday, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said the sessions focused on unpacking national priorities for social development under NDS2.
“Day 2 of the New Social Development Officers’ training started off with unpacking the national priorities for Social Development within the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2),” said the Ministry.
The Ministry said the officers explored how the national economic blueprint positions social protection and inclusive social development as key pillars for sustainable national growth.
“Officers explored how NDS2 positions social protection, decent work and inclusive social development as drivers of sustainable development,” the Ministry added.
Government said the officers were being equipped with practical knowledge and policy direction to ensure communities benefit directly from national programmes aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability.
“The session emphasized their role in translating the blueprint’s goals into tangible outcomes at community level, expanding access to social assistance, and implementing programmes that promote dignity, resilience and economic inclusion for all by 2030,” added the Ministry.
The training comes at a time when Government is scaling up social welfare programmes targeting vulnerable groups, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, children in need of care and households affected by economic and climate-related shocks.
The induction programme is part of broader Government efforts to professionalise social service delivery and improve responsiveness within communities as Zimbabwe pursues upper middle-income economy status by 2030.
