Gender and Social Protection

This Discussion Paper argues that women and men face different risks and vulnerabilities, some specific to their gender and others exacerbated by gender inequalities and discrimination. Building on the analysis in Naila Kabeer’s book, ‘Mainstreaming Gender in Social Protection for the Informal Economy’, the authors argue that the design and implementation of social protection programmes should address such gender-related constraints, including barriers to women’s economic advancement. Social transfers in the hands of women improve children’s health and nutritional status and school attendance, and can be an effective way of reducing hunger and intergenerational poverty.