Navicha pushes for increase in Social Cash Transfers after Thyolo visit

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Thom Navicha has called for an increase in Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) payments, saying the current amounts no longer match Malawi’s economic realities.

Navicha made the remarks on Monday during a visit to Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries in Semu Village, Traditional Authority Khwethemule, in Thyolo District.

The visit aimed to assess the impact of the programme on vulnerable households.

She described the SCTP, popularly known as Mtukula Pakhomo, as a critical lifeline for poor and vulnerable families across the country.

“The programme is making a difference. Children are going to school, families are buying food, and some households are even acquiring livestock,” said Navicha.

However, the Minister acknowledged that rising inflation and the high cost of living have significantly reduced the value of the transfers.

She revealed that her Ministry is engaging other government ministries and development partners to review and increase the cash transfer amounts.

“Any adjustment must reflect the prevailing economic situation so that beneficiaries can meet their basic needs with dignity,” she said.

Under the current arrangement, SCTP beneficiaries receive K17,000 per month an amount Navicha admitted is inadequate given current economic pressures.

She noted that increasing the transfers would help households better cope with food insecurity and other livelihood challenges.

During the visit, Navicha interacted with several beneficiaries who shared their experiences with the programme.

One of them, Esnart Chikaonda, a single mother of seven children, said the cash transfers have enabled her to buy food for her family.

Before joining the programme, Chikaonda said her household often struggled to have enough to eat.

She welcomed the Minister’s call to increase the transfer amounts, saying the current funds are not enough to cover basic needs.

Navicha also appealed to programme implementers to prioritise the enrolment of persons with disabilities.

She said this aligns with government’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that no one is left behind.

The Minister emphasized that social protection programmes must reach the most vulnerable members of society.

In Thyolo District alone, the SCTP is currently benefitting about 17,000 households.

Nationally, the programme supports approximately 340,000 households, translating to about 1.5 million individuals.

Authorities say about 70 percent of beneficiary households are headed by women.

In addition, 40 percent of household heads under the programme are elderly.
Introduced in 2006, the SCTP targets ultra-poor and labour-constrained households.

Beneficiaries include persons with disabilities, elderly citizens aged 65 and above, and families caring for children.

Navicha said government remains committed to strengthening social protection systems despite ongoing economic challenges.

She added that continued collaboration with development partners is essential to sustaining and expanding the programme.

As discussions on increasing the cash transfers continue, beneficiaries across the country remain hopeful that the programme will be strengthened to better support their livelihoods.