The global economic slowdown confronts governments everywhere with the challenge of protecting social spending even as fiscal resources remain limited and unemployment persists. In trying economic times when public sector and household resources are tight, it is particularly important to ensure that public finance policies are geared towards protecting the most disadvantaged families.

The National Budget for 2012-13, which will be presented on 22 February 2012 by the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan provides an opportunity to look at how public finances can help to ensure that children, women and poor families are not marginalised in the actual public sector allocations as well as the decision-making process of arriving at these.

This event, on the morning following the Minister’s budget speech, will bring together a panel of high-level experts – members of Parliament, child rights and social advocates, policy makers, etc. – to share their views on the 2012-13 National Budget and discuss the extent to which public investments are appropriately targeted toward reducing inequity and poverty.
Breakfast will be served.

For further enquiries

Vincent Moaga, SA Human Rights Commission; Mobile: 073 562 9866; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thierry Delvigne-Jean, UNICEF: Tel.: 012 354 8201; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.