Social security systems in Zambia : Phase I Overview of social security in Zambia

Abstract

This survey of social secruity provision in Zambia starts with a sketch of the historical and economic background since the late nineteenth century to the present, showing how traditional social security arrangements were destroyed and the people impoverished by a series of governments, starting with the colonial State and continuing through to the late 1990s. It describes current and recent arrangements under the following headings: both State-provided and private formal social security and non-formal social security schemes. Under the latter heading are considered the traditional security provided by the extended family and semi-formal schemes such as reciprocal urban networks, the church, chilimba and market associations. The latter two are singled out for detailed study and assessment in terms of their viability and potential for strengthening, in Phase II.



African Journal of Social Work Vol.17(2) 2002: 65-96