New Legislation Aims To Alleviate The Plight Of Marginalized People
“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” This long-standing leadership quote has been adapted by numerous legislative leaders, civil servants, and philanthropists over decades. It has served as a reminder that it is the responsibility of governing bodies to ensure the basic human needs of all people are met. The passing of Antigua and Barbuda’s new legislation, the Social Protection Act, aims to expand services for the most vulnerable residents.
What Is The Social Protection Act?
The Social Protection Act will encompass a multi-faceted approach to alleviate the plight of the country’s marginalized residents. The aim of the legislation is to implement a comprehensive database for the country’s homeless and vulnerable people. This database can then be utilized to successfully implement increased outreach services. According to community leaders, like Parliament Member Asot Michael, this marks “an evolution in how we uplift all citizens and provide services that will impact citizens directly.” Passed a few weeks ago, the new Social Protection Act will essentially provide care and protection for the elderly, homeless, or otherwise marginalized residents.
How Will The Act Work?
The Social Protection Act promises to look at each individual from a comprehensive perspective. It will offer immediate relief and protection via direct outreach efforts. However, it will also look at the variables that have culminated in an individual’s particular life situation. It will examine any systemic changes that need to be made to alleviate widespread concerns. It will look for ways to create long-term change for these individuals, bettering the long-term quality of life for participants.
Apart from working to mitigate issues caused by poverty, outreach work will focus on mental health and wellness, which has been somewhat limited previously. These increased focuses will enhance the long-term efficacy of the Act, which has replaced the outdated Poor Relief Act of 1961.
What Will It Take To Implement?
In order to formulate the concepts outlined in the Social Protection Act, several factions will have to be created. Familiar with the infrastructure needed to implement legislation, St. Peter PM Asot Michal states, “organized sectors will have to be created to ensure maximized operations, appropriate funding use, and oversight.” There will be a formalized Social Protection Board, Social Protection Fund, and a Social Protection Commission. These internally governing bodies will ensure that funds are well spent, and efforts are maximized throughout all facets of implementing the Social Protection Act. A proposed Emergency Relief Initiative will provide immediate relief throughout disaster situations, lending basic wellness needs during times of crisis.
To handle any complaints, a Tribunal is to be set up. The creation of such a body is crucial in ensuring that the implementation of the Social Protection Act remains focused on the residents it is intended to help. To ensure fairness and accuracy, law professionals will serve on the Tribunal and will govern the results of any raised complaints, concerns, or issues. The Tribunal will also gain the expert insights of several retired magistrates, social welfare workers, and a principal nursing officer.
The previous Board Of Guardians, designed to uphold the Poor Relief Act, will be transitioned into an increasingly progressive board. It will feature outreach workers, empowerment groups, the Attorney General or another appointed representative, the Accountant General, and religious figures.
Apart from various governing boards, social protection officers would directly interact with the public, and provide outreach services as needed. They would be responsible for all assessments, and enrollments for programming covered under the Social Protection Act. Once approved, residents will be placed in a beneficiaries’ database, letting all parties know that they are eligible to receive services. Aid and support can be given to confirmed residents, and spending and efficacy can be tracked in a centralized location.
By modernizing the process, the Social Protection Act can efficiently provide services, and proactively follow up with individuals who may not otherwise comply with all treatment recommendations. Centralization of databases will also help providers understand which services are the most effective, where funds should be distributed, and what programs require additional care. Committed to bettering the lives of all residents, Asot Michael touts the Social Protection Act as “a way for the government to extend comprehensive services to those who may not proactively seek services otherwise.” In this regard, the SPA could produce substantial effects for marginalized populations.
Antigua and Barbuda’s passing of the new Social Protection Act is indicative of the country’s ongoing focus to help all residents, including traditionally marginalized populations. Through the passing of such legislation, the country is evolving a collective desire to help marginalized people and to provide resources that will better the lives of countless neighbours, residents, and peers. The Social Protection Act is bound to create unprecedented change in the lives of countless participants.
