Canadian 9bn/-donation for food cash transfers timely

This is essentially what Pamela O’Donnell, the Canadian High Commissioner said in a statement on the donation, underlining that Canada recognizes the need for social protection programmes to support the most vulnerable populations during times of crisis. This time it includes poor urban families, noticeably.The UN agency took note of the fact that the coronavirus pandemic was exacerbating the living conditions of some of the most vulnerable social groups, including women and girls in urban areas, who iti said were already suffering from other socio-economic shocks. What specific level of difference it brings about remains problematic, but it would appear better focused than previously, as it skips clear of some traditional attitudes to WFP and programmed assistance to households generally. It appears there was an issue of gender realism, as to how far male headed households ought to be poor, or assisted.The difference is that male household heads are supposed to be bread winners in a way that female household heads cannot, even though they make a valiant effort to do so. But social attitudes and predilections are often likely to see a poor male headed house as more astute and identifiable, or rural household where the clan member with that family has died. Female houses in urban areas headed by women get less prestige, distinctly less appreciation, from decision making organs influenced by tradition.WFP said in the statement that this initiative expands social protection to reach more people in need, including the newly vulnerable, and puts money directly in their hands to meet basic requirements and build resilience for the future. The trouble with that assertion is that when it is formulated by World Bank rules and possibly other agencies that work closely with the government, it ignores gender parameters of poverty and places the money in the wrong hands. But in so doing it pleases stakeholders that traditions are followed, including unquestioned patriarchal rules that the father is head of the family and is entitled to receive the money. They don’t ponder over the gender reality that men’s behavior fosters poverty itself.In this instance for example the families are being helped with cash transfers instead of food transfers directly to women heads of households. Were it that the aid is in food and is taken to households, chances that most of it will land in the family are high, but cash transfers are widely used for family need if they are handed to women in priority. Patriarchal rules just undermine objectives, by handing the money to men whose priority isn’t the home but a whole range of questionable personal commitment, far and wide..Thus it is fairly understandable that globally, WFP aids social protection programmes involving men principally, like building irrigation canals, fish ponds, charcoal dams, tree planting and improving roads for market access. The real problem is managing productive social safety net systems for instance under the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), not just to reach the most vulnerable households but also the most accountable adult members of a household. These are women, even if they don’t head those homes.