What has the Covid-19 crisis taught us about social protection?
In our latest Pathways Perspective, Stephen Kidd and Daisy Sibun reflect on some of the key lessons we have learnt about social protection in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
The meaning of ‘pro-poor’ (as understood by the World Bank)
How can social protection schemes that exclude the majority of the poorest in Kyrgyzstan and globally be described as ‘pro-poor’? Stephen Kidd investigates in a new blog for the New Year. Stephen Kidd A short while ago, I wrote a blog explaining how poverty-targeted social protection schemes are ‘pro-rich’ while...
Why are human rights considerations fundamental to inclusive and lifecycle social protection systems?
Senior Social Protection Specialist Alexandra Barrantes delves into the importance of a human rights-based approach to Social Protection, framing social protection debates and policy decisions around entitlements rather than charity or handouts.
Launch of the new Pathways’ Perspective: The Podcast
This week, Development Pathways launched an exciting, new series, Pathways’ Perspectives: The Podcast. Each episode is an expert on expert conversation – a discussion between practitioners on a variety of...
Addressing the COVID-19 economic crisis in Asia through social protection
This paper examines social security responses that Asian countries have already implemented in response to COVID-19 and proposes a range of more effective complementary or alternative approaches.
World Bank shows support for universal transfers as a response to the COVID-19 crisis
In a recent post for the World Bank’s "Jobs and Development" blog series, Michal Rutkowski states that “COVID-19 highlights the importance of creating universal entitlements to health care and income support”.
Hit and Miss: An assessment of targeting effectiveness in social protection – Summary version with updated analysis
One of the most highly charged debates in social protection is how best to undertake targeting: while some social protection practitioners are passionate advocates of income testing (or poverty targeting), others highlight the many advantages of universal selection. However, as with any debate, it is best to first look at the evidence.
COVID-19: an opportunity to re-design social security systems for the XXIst Century? Webinar reflections
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) held a webinar on COVID-19: an opportunity to re-design social security systems for the XXIst Century? for the Latin American region. The conversation, facilitated by Carmen Pagés from the IDB, delved into the precarious state of the region’s social security systems, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scoping and Sector Review of Social Protection in Somaliland
This Scoping Study and Sector Review is a strategic analysis of the existing policy landscape in Somaliland in order to inform the development of a Social Protection system.
COVID-19 provokes a surge in unemployment benefit claims in the UK, with claimants encountering a system that is “cruel, inhumane and degrading” and the “second harshest in the world”
The unprecedented, rapid levels of global unemployment resulting from COVID-19 and the lockdown restrictions saw huge pressures put on social protection systems worldwide. In the UK, claimants for the Universal Credit benefit reached record levels during the lockdown months of April and May.