HOW DO YOU DEFINE SOCIAL PROTECTION?

Social protection consists of policies and practices that protect and promote the livelihoods and welfare of the poorest and most vulnerable people and cushions the livelihoods of poor people vulnerable to risks and shocks.

 WHAT ARE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFERS? WHAT IS THEIR ROLE?

Cash-based social transfers are operationally defined as regular payments of money provided by government or NGOs to individuals or households, with the objective of decreasing chronic or shock induced poverty addressing social risk and reducing economic vulnerability.

Governments and international communities are increasingly recognizing the value of social cash transfers in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Social transfers not only tackle income poverty, but also address broader developmental objectives. Households in developing countries spend their monies primarily on improving nutrition. In many countries, social grants are primarily distributed to women, promoting empowerment and more balanced gender relations. Better household living standards facilitate education and improve health and nutrition outcomes - especially for women and children.

Social transfers also provide a role in the protection strategy for those afflicted by HIV/AIDS, malaria and other debilitating diseases. The Blair Commission for Africa recognized cash transfers as a key tool in tackling extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, and recognizes their potential impact on poverty and inequality as well as their contribution to promoting and distributing growth.

The children from the households receiving cash transfers have an opportunity to break the inter­generational cycle of poverty.

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