19/10/2018
EUROsociAL+ has supported the design of Paraguay's public social protection policy, presented to the country by its President
In spite of its social advances, Paraguay continues to be one of the most unequal countries in Latin America, which is in turn one of the most unequal regions on the planet. A discussion on social protection is essential for a society seeking to advance towards greater social justice and to avoid conflicts that threaten its institutions and the quality of its democracy.
Therefore, the country’s Social Cabinet took the initiative by discussing a proposal for social protection that culminated in the design of a public policy that was ready to be implemented in all regions of the country. The experience of other Latin American countries has also been a source of learning and good practices that can be transferred to this area, as has international cooperation. The European Union’s EUROsociAL+ programme, whose management is headed by FIIAPP, has supported this public policy with a variety of proposals and points of view.
The president of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, was responsible for presenting the policy, stating that there is full political commitment to it. This commitment was also emphasised by the ministries involved: Public Management, Social Development, Health, Employment and Social Security, Finance, Women and Public Works.
The Social Protection System articulates the intervention of the entire public sector from the viewpoint of citizens´ rights and throughout their lives. This is also a theme dealt with by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which Paraguay has ratified, as five of them make explicit reference to the implementation of social protection policies, setting demanding goals for 2030.
