We like our metaphors in social protection. We talk about safety nets, even ropes and ladders, to catch people as they fall into poverty, and help them climb out of it. In this episode we’re talking about Social Protection Floors - the nationally defined set of social protection systems that provide basic health and income support guarantees to all citizens.
The crisis created by COVID-19 has shone a light on the gaps in social protection in many countries. But building comprehensive systems takes time and investment and despite international agreements, coverage is still increasing slowly. Between 2017 and 2021, the proportion of the global population covered by at least one social protection benefit increased by just two percent, and over half the world’s population remain completely unprotected.
Our three guests bring unique perspectives on where we are today on the path towards achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on social protection. You will hear from Kenya's experience in expanding its social protection; how networks of civil society actors are supporting comprehensive systems around the world; and how the ILO is tracking progress towards this goal and supporting countries in their domestic efforts to finance social protection.
Our guests for this episode are:
Links from the episode:
R202 – Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202)
World Social Protection Data Dashboards
Policy in Focus - What's next for social protection in light of COVID-19: challenges ahead
Resolution concerning the second recurrent discussion on social protection (social security)
Fiscal Space for Social Protection: a handbook for assessing financing options
Building Social Protection Floors for All: Report of the first phase 2016–2020
Extending Social Security to Workers in the Informal Economy
Plus our monthly round up of ‘Quick Wins’, highlighting news, achievements and research that have sparked our interest:
Quick Wins from Karina Levina and Yannick Markhof – participants of this year’s Ambassadors Programme at socialprotection.org
Do Conditional Cash Transfers Improve Education and Labour Market Outcomes in the Future Generation?
Humans of Social Protection – Posts
Widow raising six children in Cameroon Instagram / Facebook
Single mother and school teacher in Kyrgyzstan Instagram / Facebook
