Social Protection Podcast

In this first episode of the Social Inclusion Series*, we shine a spotlight on adolescent girls. Adolescence is a turning point—but one that often goes overlooked in social protection. These years are filled with major transitions, especially for girls, who often face greater challenges in staying in school, taking on care responsibilities, navigating sexual debut, and making decisions about their futures. These challenges are often driven by underlying gender inequalities and poverty, which shape and often constrain these pathways. In this episode, we explore how social protection can help shift that trajectory. Focusing on risks such as child marriage and early pregnancy, we unpack how well-designed programmes can support girls to stay in school, access essential services, and navigate this critical stage of life with greater security. It also discusses how crisis—from economic shocks to climate change—can deepen risks, making already fragile transitions even more uncertain for adolescent girls. Our guests dive into the evidence on what works providing some examples in Asia and worldwide and discuss why investing in adolescent girls is key to building more inclusive, resilient and climate-adaptive societies. Meet our guests: Kath Ford, Deputy Director, Young Lives Research Program, University of Oxford Dr. Nyasha Tirivayi, Social Policy Manager, UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence-Innocenti For our Quick Wins segment, we spoke with Eunice Tumwebaze, who is the Manager for Gender, Youth, and Children at the Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda, who provided and overview of the Uganda's first urban social protection program for girls called “Girls Empowering Girls”. *The Social Inclusion Series, produced by socialprotection.org in partnership with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is a three-part series that explores how social protection systems can advance the economic and social inclusion of vulnerable populations across the Indo-Pacific, in line with GEDSI principles, addressing key themes such as gender equality, demographic shifts, and disability inclusion. Resources: Publication | Unlocking Potential: How Social Protection Can Improve Disadvantaged Children’s Foundational Cognitive Skills Publication | Weathering the Storm: Climate Shocks Threaten Children’s Skills and Learning But Social Protection Can Mitigate Impact Publication | A Call to Action to expand social protection and care systems and promote decent work to address child poverty Publication | Non-contributory Social Protection and Adolescents in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of Government Programming and Impacts Publication | Impacts and Design of Social Assistance for Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment and Well-Being in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What Works for Adolescent Girls Publication | Systematic review of cash plus or bundled interventions targeting adolescents in Africa to reduce HIV risk News | DSWD's ProtecTEEN program to address adolescent pregnancy News | DSWD XI, CPD XI forge partnership on Social Protection and PopDev Technical Brief | The Investment Case for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage in South-East Asia Webinar | Global Evaluation of UNICEF work supporting expansion toward universal child benefits - cash plus programming strengthening adolescent and youth development, opportunities and empowerment In Good practices from Uganda and India Website | Gender-Responsive Age-Sensitive Social Protection (GRASSP) project Publication | Towards Gender-Responsive Social Protection: Evidence on policymaking, programme implementation and impacts for women and girls Publication | A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood: Round 4 Findings

The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, launched under Brazil’s G20 Presidency in 2024, seeks to accelerate progress towards ending extreme poverty and hunger while tackling inequality. Bringing together over 200 members including governments, international organisations, and other partners, the Alliance aims to mobilise political commitment, align public and private financing, and promote evidence-based policy solutions that are country-led and centred on those most affected. In this episode, we unpack the Alliance’s mandate and early achievements, explore how it supports countries in identifying needs and scaling proven policy instruments, and discuss what lies ahead as the Global Alliance moves from coordination to large-scale implementation. Meet our guests: Renato Domith Godinho, Director, Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Support Mechanism Kevin Watkins, Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics In our Quick Wins segment, we speak with Raphaël Duteau, Manager for AI and Data Ethics at Employment and Social Development Canada, about the opportunities Artificial Intelligence presents for social protection. He also shares insights on the AI Hub launched under the Digital Convergence Initiative. References: Resource | Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Resource | AI Hub Webinar recording | The AI Hub for Social Protection - supporting responsible AI in social protection

In this episode, we explore how TRANSFORM has helped promote a ‘culture of social protection’ across Africa, shaping how civil servants approach their roles and how institutions adapt to address lifecycle challenges using TRANSFORM’s building-block methodology. The conversations highlight the initiative’s leadership effects and its influence at national and sub-national levels, while also examining how it has supported the integration of social protection into the priorities of the African regional bodies and governments. This is the second of the three-part TRANSFORM Podcast Series, which will present the initiative's achievements 10 years since its inception through conversations with guests from the continent. In case you missed the first episode of the TRANSFORM series, you can access it here: Ep. 1 | Social Protection Capacity Building in Africa: 10 Years of TRANSFORM Hosted by Abidemi Coker, a passionate TRANSFORM Master Trainer. Meet our guests for episode 2: Thebuho Kavubya, District Social Welfare Officer, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services of Zambia. Ivan Oscar Langa, Social Protection and Policy Specialist and a TRANSFORM Master Trainer from Mozambique. For our testimonial segment, we welcome Felix Mwenge, TRANSFORM Coordinator and the Technical Officer for TRANSFORM and Knowledge Management at the ILO Country Office for Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. To learn more and explore how TRANSFORM can be tailored to your own context and how you can get involved with the initiative, go to https://transformsp.org and contact transform_socialprotection@ilo.org.

Do cash transfers drive inflation? Is social protection a cost to the economy, or an investment in its future? And who should these systems ultimately serve? In this second and final episode on social protection myths and misperceptions, we turn to the economic and systemic dimensions — how social protection interacts with markets, fiscal policy, and national development.Drawing on global evidence and practice, we examine whether cash transfers distort prices, how they influence local economies, and what the data tell us about affordability and return on investment. We also explore the broader role of social protection beyond poverty reduction: as a foundation for inclusive and resilient societies.While not all answers are clear-cut, the discussion highlights how context, programme design, and policy choices shape outcomes, and why understanding these nuances is critical for effective, sustainable systems. Meet our guests: Davide Rasella, ICREA Research Professor and Head of the Global Health Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group, ISGlobal and ISC.Dennis Egger, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Oxford.Laura Carvalho, Associate Professor of Economics, University of São Paulo.For our Quick Wins segment, we spoke with Konstantinos Papadakis, Principal Social Affairs Officer at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, who shared insights on the outcomes of Second World Summit for Social Development. Resources: Podcast | Ep.54 | Social Protection Myths and Misperceptions Part 1 Publication | Do cash transfers cause inflation? Publication | The multiplier effects of government expenditures on social protection Publication | Social protection systems, redistribution and growth in Latin America Publication | Impact of social protection on child malnutrition and mortality across 46 LMICs: a longitudinal study over two decades with insights from the COVID-19 pandemic Publication | Effects of conditional cash transfers on tuberculosis incidence and mortality according to race, ethnicity and socioeconomic factors in the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort Publication | Effect of a conditional cash transfer programme on AIDS incidence, hospitalisations, and mortality in Brazil: a longitudinal ecological study Publication | Evaluation and Forecasting Analysis of the Association of Conditional Cash Transfer With Child Mortality in Latin America, 2000-2030

Thirty years after the landmark World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, the world reconvenes in Doha for the second edition of the Summit — a defining moment to assess global progress in poverty eradication, employment, and social inclusion. As nations prepare to renew their commitments to the Copenhagen Declaration, the Summit offers a crucial opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of social protection in advancing the social development agenda. In this episode, we look back at the forces that shaped the first Summit and explore how the Copenhagen Declaration helped elevate social protection in global discourse. We trace the evolution of social development and consider what progress has been made, what gaps remain, and how today’s challenges, from conflict and fiscal pressures to climate and geopolitical change, are redefining the global agenda. We also examine the potential impact of the upcoming Summit for universal social protection, sustainable financing, and multilateral cooperation in an era of mounting headwinds. Meet our guests: Ms. Iffath Sharif, Global Director for Social Protection and Labour, World Bank Ms. Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social Protection Department, International Labour Organization (ILO) For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Marta Pedrajas, Deputy Assistant Director for Multilateral Development Policies at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, to delve into a special side event at the WSSD 2025: the First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty She also explores what this new global initiative to eradicate poverty and hunger could mean in practice. References: Publication | Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development Publication | World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and just transition Publication | Sevilla Commitment: Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development Publication | Elements paper for the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development Event | First Leaders’ Meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty Event | Universal Social Protection for Equitable Growth and Equitable Societies

Is social protection just a handout? Does it discourage work? Or are the systems plagued by fraud? In this episode, we unpack some of the biggest myths surrounding social protection systems and explore the real data behind the rhetoric. Despite the strong evidence base available and data which overwhelmingly proves the strengths of social protection in combating poverty and vulnerability, social protection practitioners are often faced by questions or doubts about mechanisms which have been, at some level, settled by evidence, practice and experience. Whether you're a sceptic or a supporter, this conversation might challenge your assumptions and bring greater clarity to the debate. Meet our guests: Rema Hanna, Jeffrey Cheah Professor of Southeast-Asia Studies, Harvard Kennedy School Tia Palermo, President at Policy Research Solutions (PRESTO) On this episode we do not have a Quick Wins guest, as there will be a Bonus episode coming out mid-October. But our host, Jo, has highlighted a couple of resources (shared below) from Rema and Tia for you to enjoy in the meantime. References: Publication | Dispelling myths on gender and cash transfers: Evidence Summary Publication | Social Protection: Policymaker Beliefs and Empirical Evidence Additional references: Publication | Conditional, unconditional and everything in between: a systematic review of the effects of cash transfer programmes on schooling outcomes. Publication | The effects of cash transfers on adult labor market outcomes Publication | Debunking the stereotype of the lazy welfare recipient: Evidence from cash transfer programs Publication | Theoretical underpinnings and meta-analysis of the effects of cash transfers on intimate partner violence in low-and middle-income countries Publication | The impact of cash transfers: a review of the evidence from low-and middle-income countries Publication | A mixed-method review of cash transfers and intimate partner violence in low- and middle-income countries Publication | Myth-busting? Confronting six common perceptions about unconditional cash transfers as a poverty reduction strategy in Africa Publication | The Effectiveness of Cash and Cash Plus Interventions on Livelihoods Outcomes: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis Publication | Social safety nets, women’s economic achievements and agency: A systematic review and meta-analysis Publication | Do cash transfers alleviate common mental disorders in low-and middle-income countries? A systematic review and meta-analysis

In face of the climate emergency, integrating social protection into countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) is essential for supporting vulnerable communities, advancing low-carbon transitions, and unlocking climate finance to expand adaptive social protection systems. With many countries set to update these critical climate instruments under the scope of the Paris Agreement, this is a critical moment to explore the topic. In this episode, we examine how social protection is being woven into national climate policies, with a spotlight on Cambodia’s pioneering approach—not only mentioning social protection but recognising it as a distinct sector in its new NDC 3.0. We delve deeper to discuss what it takes to bridge climate action and social protection, from building resilience and inclusive adaptation, to unlocking climate finance and coordinating across ministries. Meet our guest: Dr. Matthew Walsham, Social Protection Specialist (Climate), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Mr. Sophornreaksmey Sreng, Deputy Secretary General, General Secretariat for the National Social Protection Council, Kingdom of Cambodia. For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Sayanti Sengupta, Technical Advisor for Social Protection & Climate at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, expanding on concrete steps countries can take to advance the critical agenda of integrating social protection into NDCs. References: Publication | Integration social protection in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Publication | Weathering the storm: poverty, climate change and social protection: Report of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Database | Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Registry | UNFCCC

Health is a human right, as well as a cornerstone of social protection systems. Yet globally, millions remain excluded from essential care, with financial hardship and systemic gaps still standing in the way of universal health coverage. In this episode, numbered as the 50th of the Social Protection Podcast, we take a close look at Zambia’s National Health Insurance Scheme as a case study for how countries are working to expand social health protection, and what the social protection and health sectors can learn from each other to achieve the shared goal of universal coverage. Meet our guests: Herryman Moono, Director of Research, Planning & Strategy at the National Health Insurance Management Authority of Zambia Lou Tessier, Health Protection Specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO) For our Quick Wins segment, we speak with Peter Ombasa, Senior Social Protection Specialist and Assistant Director of Children's Services of the Government of Kenya, about the USP2030 Joint Statement: Key messages on Social Protection for the World Social Summit 2025. Resources: Blog post | Social Protection for Health and Wellbeing Publication | Towards Universal Health Coverage: Social Health Protection Principles Publication | World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition Publication | Financing gap for universal social protection: Global, regional and national estimates and strategies for creating fiscal space Publication | Universal social security is feasible in low-income countries: a critical review of the ILO’s calculations on the cost of bridging the gap Podcast | Think Change episode 70: how can development financing be reformed? The road to Seville

The need for greater ‘localisation’ of humanitarian and social assistance is clear in conflict and protracted crisis settings. The increasing difficulty for international organisations to operate is a key driver of localisation, as is the recognition of the essential role local actors (including government and civil society) play in improving the relevance, legitimacy, sustainability and effectiveness of aid. For social protection programs, the role of government as a local actor may be particularly complex or contested in these settings. This episode will explore the progress and challenges of this shift towards localisation, and how local organisations in Yemen and Southeast Asia have stepped up where international or government systems are weak. Meet our guests: Abeer Al-Absi, Independent Consultant, STAAR Facility and BASIC Research Aung Naing, Research Consultant For our Quick Wins segment, we welcome Courtenay Cabot Venton, where she talks about the study ‘Passing the Buck: The Economics of Localizing International Assistance’ with the Share Trust and the Warande Advisory Centre. Resources: Humanitarian Activism, Social Protection, and Emergent Citizenship in Myanmar Sustaining Yemeni Capacities for Social Assistance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and social protection systems are no exception. From improving targeting and service delivery to enabling predictive interventions, AI has the potential to make social protection and humanitarian programs smarter and more responsive. But with these opportunities come significant challenges: data privacy concerns, biases in algorithms, and the risk of reducing human oversight in critical decision-making processes. In this episode, we explore how AI is being integrated into social protection systems globally, aiming to address pressing questions such as: How can AI enhance social protection without compromising fairness and accountability? What safeguards are needed to ensure that data remains secure and ethical principles are upheld? Meet our guest: Thomas Byrnes, Humanitarian & Social Protection Consultant, Founder and Director of MarketImpact For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Ralf Radermacher, Head of Programme, Social Protection, at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, sharing some key takeaways from the ‘AI for Social Protection’ workshop, which took place from 19–21 November 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Resources: Publication | Harnessing the Transformative Potential of Generative AI for Humanitarian Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance Opportunities, Risks, Barriers, and Recommendations Publication | How AI is Transforming Humanitarian Aid: Insights for Market-Based Professionals Publication | Novissi Togo: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Deliver Shock-Responsive Social Protection

Data and information systems are fundamental building blocks of social protection programmes. They all need a process and a mechanism for collecting, storing and processing data. However, developing these registries presents enormous challenges. Especially in finding ways for these to become truly dynamic, so that social protection systems can respond effectively to peoples’ changing circumstances, such as in the face of shocks. This is perhaps one of the greatest hurdles facing the sector. In this episode, we’ll cut through the terminology and periodic controversy to talk about how these information systems work, and how to make them work better. Meet our guests: Rodrigo Assumpção, President of DataPrev (Brazil) Valentina Barca, Independent Social Protection Expert For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Gabrielle Smith, Independent consultant and member of the STAAR Facility. Episode resources: Publication | Implementation Guide – Good Practices For Ensuring Data Protection And Privacy In Social Protection Systems Publication | Passing the Buck: The Economics of Localizing International Aid

In the dynamic landscape of social protection, partnerships and collaborations serve as vital pillars of strength, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. September marks the ninth anniversary of socialprotection.org. This year, we are celebrating partnerships for social protection throughout the month by highlighting the significance of alliances in amplifying social impact and ensuring inclusivity through key partnerships, instruments, and interagency mechanisms such as the Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B), the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection (USP 2030), the G20, and the socialprotection.org platform itself. In this bonus episode, we invited representatives from the ILO and the World Bank, who co-chair SPIAC-B and USP 2030, to discuss the importance of partnerships in navigating diverse perspectives and policies within global social protection. They speak candidly about the sometimes heated policy differences and debates within the sector and the importance of collaboration in bridging these divides and driving the progressive expansion of social protection worldwide. It's a wide-ranging conversation about how far the sector has come and the significant challenges it will need to grapple with in the future. Meet our guests: Shahra Razavi, Director of the Universal Social Protection Department, International Labour Organization (ILO) Iffath Sharif, Global Director for Social Protection and Jobs, World Bank Group Episode Resources: Publication | Social Protection in the Developing World Publication | Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights 2019

Across the world, interest for universal social protection mechanisms has skyrocketed, in particular following the pandemic and its transversal effects on the poor, vulnerable and not so vulnerable populations. Social assistance mechanisms such as child benefits or elderly pensions have already had a history of encompassing the entire group with universal mechanisms in some countries; however, universal basic income (UBI) schemes are still in the stage of theoretical and policy discussion, without having been set up. In this context, Brazil is an interesting case: in 2004, Brazil adopted a law that establishes a “Renda Básica de Cidadania” (Basic citizenship income). That effort was pushed by its rapporteur, Mr. Eduardo Matarazzo Suplicy, who was a senator at the time and a vigorous UBI advocate to this day. In this podcast episode, we will talk about how the Basic citizenship income came to be, the possible advantages of adopting an UBI, the main challenges and what lessons have been learned with the recent discussions on the theme. For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Jurgen de Wispelaere, discussing his recently launched publication at the International Social Security Review, a Specia Issue called ‘Emergency basic income: Distraction or opportunity’. Meet our guests: Eduardo Suplicy, State Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo Jurgen De Wispelaere, IPR Policy Fellow, Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath Episode Resources: Publication: Special Issue: Themed double issue: Emergency basic income: Distraction or opportunity