Defining social protection systems (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1085)

Abstract

Query How do key partners define social protection systems? Overview This rapid review identifies the definitions of social protection systems used by multilateral, bilateral, civil society organisations (CSOs), and think tanks. Social protection systems broadly refer to the combination of institutions, laws, regulations and interventions that are involved in implementing social protection. However, there is no common definition and a lack of clarity among the available literature of what the selected organisations consider these to be. Some organisations advocate a child-sensitive approach to social protection (for example UNICEF and Save the Children), while others take a right-based perspective (such as SIDA and IDS). Some of the research think tanks contacted indicated that they do not have a common institutional position on social protection issues