Finding Ways Forward: Challenges and Opportunities in Creating Rights-based

Social Protection SystemsThe Role of the OAS in Promoting a Rights-based Approach to

Social Protection in Latin America

Alexandra N. BarrantesPromotion of Equity Section Chief

DIS/OASSeptember 17, 2015

OAS: regional framework & mechanisms

Inter-American human rights system: interdependence of rights; advancing social rights agenda; right to social security (Additional Protocol to the American Convention on HHRR in the Area of ESCRs “Protocol of San Salvador”, Inter-American Convention on Protecting the HHRR of Older Persons, among others); concepts of equity, social justice and non-discrimination at the core of OAS.

Social Charter of the Americas + Plan of Action: Create or strengthen comprehensive social protection (SP) systems based on respect for human rights and on the principles of universality, sustainability, equality, inclusion, shared responsibility, solidarity and equity that include the generation of opportunities needed for families and individuals in vulnerable circumstances to enhance their well-being and quality of life.

High-level regional policy dialogues and cooperation mechanisms for institutional strengthening

Social Protection Joint Statements from a rights and intersectoral perspective.

OAS rights -based approach to Social Protection

• Based on the rights under the Inter-American human rights system: individuals as right holders and agents of change, shift from “beneficiaries”; and principles of universality, sustainability, equality, inclusion, shared responsibility, solidarity

• Recognition of need for comprehensive and integrated social protection systems, and inter-sectoral coordination vs. fragmentation among different levels of government and among different organized social services

• Life cycle perspective, individuals all ages as right holders and participants in their own development

• Concepts of equity, social justice and non-discrimination at the core of OAS founding documents

• More rights for more people: OAS General Secretariat

Resources:

Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN) community of practice:http://socialprotectionet.org

Working Group PSS:http://www.oas.org/en/sedi/dsi/protocol-ssv/

Indicators for measuring rights under the PSS:http://www.oas.org/en/sedi/pub/progress_indicators.pdf

THANK YOU