Piloting social protection in Chin State, Myanmar: Challenges and opportunities within a context of fragility

Abstract

This article provides a glimpse into the opportunities and challenges facing Myanmar as it roles out the first Mother and Child Cash Transfer (MCCT) in one of the country’s most disadvantaged areas, Chin State. Already known for its fragile context, women and children have among the most alarming social indicators in Myanmar. A vicious interaction between demand (influenced, i.a., by poverty, behaviour and knowledge) and supply side factors (e.g. health and market infrastructures) can only be broken through explicit support measures to families to overcome the multiple risks they face in their daily lives, while also ensuring that supply side constraints are eased over time. Despite the many types of obstacles the role-out faces, the pilot programme provides a strong socio-economic, political and rights-based case for genuine improvements in Chin State, and across Myanmar more generally.