Social protection can be defined as "policies and actions which enhance the capacity of poor and vulnerable people to escape from poverty and enable them to better manage risks and shocks" (OECD/DAC 2009, 10). The term would thus include social insurance, social transfers and minimum labour...

This paper analyses Egypt's social protection systems. It asks why poverty is so widespread and why – despite the country's numerous sophisticated social protection systems - social risks are a major contributing factor to poverty in Egypt. It concludes that reforms are due. The existing...

The introductory article of this special issue looks at the genesis, characteristics and challenges of social protection schemes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It argues that social protection policies in the MENA should be seen as a key ingredient of the social contract that...