Social Protection for Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous and tribal peoples’ disproportionate representation among the poor and limited access to social protection are linked to their low levels of participation in decision-making. Social protection programmes may not sufficiently take into account their cultural integrity and ways of life. Guaranteeing at least a basic level of social protection, a social protection floor for all, including indigenous men, women and children, represents an essential component of national strategies for sustainable development. This brief highlights the importance of social protection for indigenous peoples and provides ways for ensuring a rights-based framework for promoting social protection for indigenous men, women and children.