November 13, 2024

What is Social Protection and What are the International Laws and Policies for Social Protection?  

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What is Social Protection?   

The term ‘Social Protection’ is not new it is familiar as an assistant or supportive measure to the well-being of vulnerable people.  Social protection refers to a bunch of policies, interventions, and programs that governments and societies strive to ensure that citizens and communities have access to the basic level of economic and social security in the country.  The main goal of social protection is to eliminate poverty, vulnerability, and inequality by providing support to those who are in need during different stages of their lives and in different situations and stakes.

Social protection consists of a range of policies, programs, and initiatives designed to safeguard individuals and communities from different forms of social and economic risks and vulnerabilities. Primarily, social protection ensures that people have access to a basic level of socio-economic security throughout their lives. Ultimately, it aims to reduce poverty, inequality, vulnerabilities, and social exclusion by providing support and assistance to those in need, especially during times of adversity or transition.

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Social protection is a universally agreed fundamental human right and the latest tool of human development that every individual should have the right to get entertained rest of their lives. It is an individual right where the state is responsible for providing necessary assistance during crises and vulnerabilities.  The well-established disciplines of social protection and related activities are relief and immediate support, shelters, education, health, and agriculture. Social protection programs are designed to mitigate the impacts of shocks or to help people cope with risks or vulnerabilities if they occur. Social Protection is paramount important for achieving a range of social and economic goals, including poverty reduction, economic stability, equality, and social inclusion.

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Social Protection in the Context of Nepal

In the context of Nepal, the contribution-based social protection fund has been launched by the government as a socialist-oriented program. The Constitution of Nepal (2015) has mandatory provisioned allowance as the right to social protection for senior citizens, the economically poor, the Dalits, the helpless, people with disabilities, children, the severe disabilities, helpless single women, and endangered castes as per the fiscal program of the government.  The Constitution has ensured social protection as a fundamental right to reduce poverty and vulnerabilities in Article 34. Similarly, the Right to Employment Act (2018) has actualized and owned the fundamental rights towards social protection ensured by the constitution. Also, the Contributory Social Protection Rules have been implemented to succor equitable labor relations, poverty reduction, and industrial stability according to the Social Security Act (2018).  However, the state still needs to do a lot more to achieve the aims of social protection and social justice as envisioned in the Constitution of Nepal.

What are the International Laws and Policies for Social Protection?

International laws and policies for social protection are developed and promoted by various international organizations, including the United Nations, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank, and regional bodies such as the European Union. These all organizations work jointly to formulate norms, standards, and guidelines for social protection with the goals of promoting social and economic development and protecting the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide. These international laws and policies provide a framework with recognized principles and standards for countries to develop and implement their social protection system and initiatives. The main goals of international laws and policies are to promote social justice, reduce poverty and inequality, and ensure that all individuals have access to essential social protection services, regardless of the situation where they live. Here are some key international laws and policies for social protection:

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the UDHR recognizes the right to social security and an adequate standard of living. Article 22 of the UDHR states that “everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security.”
  2. International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): This is an international treaty, which came into force in 1976 that recognizes the right to social security. It obligates signatory states to take steps to progressively realize this right, including providing access to social protection for all without discrimination.
  3. ILO Social Security Conventions: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed several conventions and recommendations related to social protection, including the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), which sets minimum standards for social security coverage, and the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202), which promotes the establishment of social protection systems.
  4. ILO Recommendation on Social Protection Floors: In 2012, the ILO adopted Recommendation No. 202 on social protection floors, which calls on member states to establish and maintain nationally defined social protection systems that provide access to essential healthcare and income security throughout the life cycle.
  5. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 1 of the SDGs is to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.” Social protection is recognized as a key strategy to achieve this goal, and it is integrated into various targets and indicators across the SDGs, particularly Goal 1 and Goal 10 (reduced inequalities).
  6. World Bank Social Protection Strategy: The World Bank has a Social Protection Strategy focusing on building comprehensive and adaptive social protection systems in least-developed countries. It emphasizes the importance of providing support to the poor and vulnerable, especially during times of crisis.
  7. Regional Agreements: In addition to global agreements, various regions have their own agreements and policies related to social protection. For example, the European Union has social protection policies and programs aimed at ensuring the well-being of its member states’ citizens.
  8. Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements: Countries may also engage in bilateral and multilateral agreements related to social protection, including agreements on labor mobility, cross-border social security, and the protection of migrant workers.

Conclusion:

Social protection is essential for promoting human rights, reducing poverty and inequality, eliminating vulnerabilities, and fostering economic and social well-being. It helps individuals and communities navigate the challenges and risks they encounter throughout their lives while contributing to broader goals of stability, equity, and social justice. International laws and policies provide a framework with recognized principles and standards for countries to develop and implement their social protection system and initiatives. They aim to promote social justice, reduce poverty and inequality, and ensure that all individuals have access to essential social protection services, regardless of the situation where they live. Thus, it is pervasively important for different reasons, and its significance extends to individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole.

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Below are some links to paid resources for a detailed study. 

      

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