IPRSE, with support from RHVP, held an awareness event with chairpersons of parliamentary committees on the 14^th of December 2007. The event was also attended by DFID, Government, Concern Worldwide and other Social Protection Policy Technical Committee members.

The event was held to build awareness and understanding of social transfers and their role in addressing chronic hunger and vulnerability. The session started with a presentation on social protection in Malawi by Mr. Maxton Tsoka, a member of the social protection Technical Committee and stock-take consultant on the Mchinji Cash Transfer Programme. The second presentation, by RHVP Programme Manager, John Rook, looked at the role of cash transfers and made a strong case on non-means tested cash transfers.

Many Members of Parliament were exposed to the concept of social protection for the first time at the event and expressed interest in learning more about it. They acknowledged that social protection, and social cash transfers in particular, are the right way to go in reducing poverty in Malawi. However, some concerns were raised, including:

• Social protection has to carry some political weight since donors are likely to fund what the government is leading.
• The legislatures were concerned that the whole policy development process did not include representation from them, thereby denying them an opportunity to make critical contributions from the early stages.
• The timing of the cash transfer programme is crucial since the next general elections are in 2009 and the programme may be considered as handouts by the government to win voters.

The participants recommended:

• A visit to Mchinji to see the cash transfer programme.
• Involvement of the parliamentary committees in the process of drafting the policy, especially the budget and finance sub-committee, the social welfare sub-committee and the women’s caucus.