Social protection

Overview

Social protection, or social security, aims to protect individuals and families against various risks experienced at different stages of life. It reduces poverty and inequalities, contributes to enhancing productivity and employability, injects cash into local markets and supports economic growth. Social protection plays a key role in ensuring inclusive responses to crises, promoting a just recovery and building resilience, adaptiveness and preparedness for future shocks. Access to social protection for all members of society, including refugees and their families, is anchored in the human rights to social security and health. These rights are embedded in many international and regional human rights instruments, including the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (hereafter referred to as the 1951 Convention). The 1951 Convention contains more detailed and important provisions on welfare and social security specifically for refugees (Articles 20–24). PROSPECTS supported the strengthening and extension of national social protection systems and the inclusion of forcibly displaced people and host communities in Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon and Sudan.

Key stakeholders 

• National social protection institutions
• Government representatives (national and local)
• Social partners
• Humanitarian partners
• ILO technical specialists
• Refugee and host community members