Re-thinking welfare — From handouts to empowerment

Wednesday’s debate in the House of Assembly regarding the government’s social welfare support plan for young mothers has again brought to the fore a critical issue: how best to support vulnerable members of our society while ensuring the welfare system can better respond to growing needs and remain sustainable.

Officials revealed that the current system, funded by taxpayers, continues to struggle under the weight of demand. 

According to Acting Chief Welfare Officer Kim Bobb-Waithe, “We are indeed overwhelmed by the numbers we are seeing as it relates to young women who have several children, and the needs are varied for each and every one of them.”  

This not only highlights long-standing, troubling social issues but also calls for an overhaul of the current welfare system.

We know that thousands have benefited and are benefiting from the lifeline offered by the Welfare Department, but welfare cannot be merely about handouts. The ultimate goal must be to help vulnerable citizens lead a better life. 

With all the best intentions, the millions spent annually by the Welfare Department cannot meet the needs of all those knocking on its doors. Handing out money and vouchers is not sustainable and leads to a culture of dependency and entitlement that serves no one.

A critical point raised by People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Minister Kirk Humphrey during the debate highlighted the need for those who benefit from welfare to be weaned off the state purse through financial empowerment.

The young mothers highlighted by Bobb-Waithe require broad support including further education and job training as well as better parenting skills. 

Bobb-Waithe gave hope that these issues will receive more attention with the establishment of the Social Empowerment Agency, which she said will track the needs of recipients allowing social workers to provide more personalised support.

Moreover, tackling the root causes of dependency is imperative and will require a multifaceted approach. Authorities must also seek to invest in early intervention programmes aimed at preventing young women from becoming trapped in a cycle of poverty and dependency. They will need support to overcome personal challenges and develop the skills and confidence to achieve self-sufficiency and eventually transition away from welfare support. 

Equally, Minister Humphrey’s comments about the need to strike a balance and prevent the exploitation of the system are also critical. Welfare should not be treated as an entitlement, but rather as a temporary safety net for those who genuinely need it.

Welfare functions as a bridge, helping individuals navigate difficult times and return to self-sufficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to re-evaluate the way we approach welfare, shifting the focus to empowerment.

A critical component of this re-evaluation must be a thorough investigation of each client’s capacity to get a job. Determining a client’s ability to work, including considering any physical or mental limitations, is essential for crafting an appropriate plan. Are they actively seeking jobs? Are they participating in job training programmes? Questions like these are necessary to ensure that individuals are taking advantage of the resources available to them and actively working towards independence. Welfare authorities must hold clients accountable.

By implementing these and other measures, we can ensure that welfare serves its intended purpose: providing temporary support during times of genuine need. This approach benefits both the individual and society as a whole, fostering a culture of responsibility and promoting economic independence.