The cash transfer programme
The Basic Social Subsidy Programme (Programa de Subsídio Social Básico or PSSB), was set up in 1992 provides a small amount of money (minimum of $4.50 per month) to vulnerable households. Implemented by INAS, this programme is part of a broader social protection platform that includes providing support to households unable to overcome a specific shock or event.
- The value of the transfer was too low and many perceive it merely as a minimum welfare payment to prevent absolute destitution.
- Lack of accessible information about the PSSB leads to a lack of transparency, and a lack of participant accountability.
- People with disabilities are under-represented and do not feel that they have a right to complain about any aspects of the pogramme.
- The demand for accountability from beneficiaries was low, as they have few expectations of institutions providing such assistance.
- Coordinated and harmonised support by development partners is needed to ensure that an integrated social protection system is built.
- There needs to be a focus on maintaining political commitment and sustainable financial government response for successful reform to occur.
- INAS’s current capacity and organisational structure will need to be reformed to meet the needs of the expanded and reformed programmes.
- Outsourcing cash transfer payments to private sector providers would assist in with guaranteeing a regular and predictable service to beneficiaries.
- While Mozambique has seen gradual improvement in its HDI values between 1985 and 2011, it has consistently been placed in the HDI’s ‘Low Human Development Category”.
- Mozambique was ranked 125 out of 146 countries under the Gender Inequality Index in 2011.
- Under-five mortality in Mozambique has fallen from 177 (per 1000 live births) in 2000 to 135 in 2010, while infant mortality has fallen from 119 to 92 in the same period.
- Child labour (children aged 5 to 14) is concerning for Mozambique with 22% of children working in 2008 – 21% for males and 24% for females.
- Census data from 1997 stated that approximately 2% of the total population of 16 million have disabilities, however, these figures do not take into account those with mental disabilities.
- HIV prevalence among adults (15-49) was estimated as being 11.5% of the population in 2009, having risen from 4.1% in 1995 and 8.6% in 2000. HIV prevalence was higher in women (13.1%) than in men (9.2%) in 2009.