Summary

The Civil Society Social Protection Network, which is simply referred to as the Network, is a
grouping of civil society organizations in social protection sector. The Network was formed
to fill the gap in social protection advocacy. In 2019, the International Labour Organization
in conjunction with Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs commissioned a study on social
accountability in social protection. Some of the key findings of the study were that there was
weak social accountability mechanism, limited understanding of social protection at all levels,
low political will as evidenced by weak governance mechanisms. The study among other factors
attributed this to low participation of civil society organizations in social protection sector which
could have strengthened social accountability mechanisms through setting up structures of
accountability and also raising awareness of social protection in the country. Social accountability
tools play a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness of social
protection programs. These tools empower citizens, beneficiaries, and civil society organizations
to actively participate in monitoring and influencing the design and implementation of these
programs.
The Network has a steering committee led by chairperson and 10 other members plus the
coordinator. It was launched on May 30, 2023, at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe.

Developing an advocacy strategy on social protection requires a well-structured and
comprehensive approach to effectively engage with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public.
This strategy document provide roadmap to help civil society realize its potential in contributing
towards a comprehensive social protection system in Malawi through advocacy and capacity
building. There is an urgent need to advocate for social protection to build ownership, increase
financing and raise awareness of its importance in national development. Successful advocacy
is not solely about demanding change but also about building relationships, offering evidencebased
solutions, and engaging in constructive dialogue with decision-makers. Therefore, this
advocacy strategy will employ initiatives focusing on collaboration and evidence-based dialogue
to facilitate Civil society network effective advocacy for improvements in social protection
policies. Below are the key elements to for the Civil Society Social Protection Network advocacy.