UN Joint Programme on Child Protection and Social Protection

Building on earlier efforts, this MPTF/SIDA-funded programme supports the scale-up of interventions aligned with national priorities. This includes efforts to expand social assistance coverage from 1.2 million to 2.5 million households. The JP integrates cash plus approaches, enhances both contributory and non-contributory schemes, and strengthens child protection systems through care reform, parenting support, workforce development, and improved public financing. Ultimately, the programme contributes to human capital development and aligns with both national development commitments and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under the child protection component, the joint programme is designed around the recognition that economic vulnerability and child protection risks are deeply interconnected. The strategies build on the efforts of the other ILO Child Protection and child labour projects, aiming to strengthen the government's capacity to address child labour while also developing data-driven policies for sustainability. Specifically, the joint project is supporting the government in meeting its reporting obligations under Alliance 8.7, building the national and County structures established to monitor, report, and address child labour issues, enhancing labour inspections that encompass child labour, and strengthening the justice system to address child labour. The project aims to establish and strengthen the Child Labour Committee in 2 Counties of Mombasa and Kisumu, as well as support the development and adoption of child protection policies in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kajiado Counties.
Kenya, having been admitted to Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder in December 2024, the joint project is collaborating with the ILO ACCEL project and other civil organizations in supporting the Ministry of Labour to develop the reporting matrix and collate the report for submission through the National steering committee on the Elimination of Child Labour.