Human Development Studies » Social Protection and Progress

Social protection is concerned with protecting and aiding segments of society who are poor, marginalized or vulnerable such as children, women, elderly, people with disabilities, the displaced, unemployed, youth and the sick. In this respect, social protection is commonly understood as all the public and private policies and initiatives that aim to provide income or other forms of transfers to the poor, marginalized or the vulnerable to reduce their economic and social hardships.

The group of countries that belong to the OIC consist of a variety of economically and socially diverse countries spanning across continents. Some of the OIC countries are in the high-income bracket while others are amongst the poorest in the world. Studies indicate that nearly one third (31%) of the world’s total poor population resides in the OIC countries. In addition, OIC countries do not have comprehensive systems of social welfare and public service delivery that are based on entitlements to all its citizens in the form of basic rights. OIC countries have a broad range of social assistance, social insurance and labour market programmes but a common feature is the lack coverage for the poor, marginalized and vulnerable.

SESRIC research aims to assist member countries by mapping out the social and economic situation of vulnerable groups in OIC countries, and provides data-driven policy options and recommendations to support social protection systems that are viable and sustainable. Through specific reports on the state children, youth, people with special needs and the elderly in OIC countries, SESRIC provides specific strategies for member countries to address the challenges and issues faced by these vulnerable groups.