Social Protection

Social protection refers to policies and programs implemented by governments to reduce poverty and vulnerability among citizens. The main objective is to create efficient labor markets, minimize exposure to risks, and enhance people’s capability to protect themselves against hazards and income interruption or loss (Dixon, J.E., 1999. Social Security in Global Perspective. Connecticut, US: Greenwood.). Social security, on the other hand, is the protection provided by society through public measures against economic and social distress that could result from sickness, maternity, employment injury, unemployment, invalidity, old age, death, medical care provision, and subsidies for families with children (International Labour Organization, International Labour Office, World Labour Report 2000: Income Security and Social Protection in a Changing World, International Labour Organization, 2000).