885,000 children, rural women: Sindh approves initiatives to expand social safety net

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday chaired the third board meeting of the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA), and approved a series of major initiatives to expand the province’s social safety net, enhance maternal and child welfare, and provide income support to vulnerable rural women.

The board approved a new Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme targeting 885,000 children, seasonal cash assistance for women agricultural workers, and key reforms to the Mamta maternal health cash transfer programme under the Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh (SSPDSS).

Reviewing progress on the Mamta programme, officials noted that it was currently operational in 22 districts with a budget of Rs 56 billion, benefiting over one million registered individuals. To ensure predictability and ease financial pressure on low-income households, the board approved a Hybrid Predictable Payment Model (PPM), under which mothers would receive cash payments on a fixed schedule, even if health visits were slightly delayed.

In another pro-poor initiative, the board approved full cash support for a mother’s pregnancy or her youngest child, along with 75 percent of the conditional cash transfer amount for an older child under the age of two, ensuring broader coverage for vulnerable families.

The chief minister also approved two new interventions aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting long-term human development. He said the ECD project with the allocation of Rs 14 billion, funded by KfW, would support children aged up to five years, with caregivers receiving Rs 3,000 quarterly for growth monitoring, nutrition counselling, and school readiness.

Additionally, the board approved a Women Agricultural Workers Programme to provide monthly cash transfers to rural women during lean agricultural periods for two to four months annually. The initiative was designed to help women manage seasonal income loss, reduce debt, and improve household food security.

To expand the reach of the Mamta programme, the board approved a feasibility study in collaboration with the Gates Foundation to extend coverage to underserved urban union councils and high-risk areas of Karachi and Hyderabad. It also ratified an addendum to include Health Department-managed facilities in seven newly selected districts, with DHQ and THQ hospitals designated as central Mamta service points.

For improved governance, the board authorised the formation of specialised committees on audit, human resources, legal affairs, and research, and approved a budget of Rs2.29 billion for the financial year 2026–27.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a reliable and predictable support system for Sindh’s most vulnerable populations.

“Our goal is to establish a dependable safety net that empowers women and children across Sindh,” he said. “By integrating health, nutrition, and financial support, we are investing in the future of our province.”