Social security is a human right - not charity
This mini-series on the human right to social security is the result of a collaboration with social protection and inclusive programming experts Development Pathways.
Social security is your human right
The human right to social security is enshrined in a number of international human rights law instruments (Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles 22, 25; International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights articles 9, 10, 11; Convention on the Rights of the Child article 26; International Labour Organization Social Protection Floors Recommendation, No. 202 (2012)) as well as many national constitutions and laws. States are the duty bearers of all human rights. At the core of this right is the inherent dignity of every person on this planet.
Content of the human right to social security
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights explained in its General Comment number 19 that the human right to social security must be adequate, available, accessible, and cover all social risks and contingencies (health care, sickness, old age, unemployment, employment injury, family and child support, maternity, disability, and survivors and orphans).
A rights-based approach to social protection policy
Certain principles and standards are core to a human rights-based approach to social protection policy design and implementation, including: accessibility, participation, adaptability, adequacy of the benefit, equality and non-discrimination, the right to privacy, dignity and autonomy, and accountability.
The centrality of process in designing social protection policy
Policies based on a rights-based approach stress the importance of not only the outcomes of programmes, but of the implementation process as a way of working towards the progressive achievement of economic and social rights for all. Given human rights obligations, human rights principles and standards should be taken into account in every stage of the design and implementation of social protection schemes.