#APSP2023 | Day 2 | Session 4B | Inclusive Social Protection: Progress in Expanding Disability SP

#APSP2023 | Day 2 | Parallel Session 4B | Inclusive Social Protection: Inclusive Social Protection: Progress in Expanding Disability Inclusive Social Protection

According to the ILO, only 28% of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific are covered by social protection programs, compared to 68% of the general population. COVID-19 has made existing inequalities worse for persons with disabilities – spotlighting the urgent need for expansion of existing social protection program to be more inclusive, but also to ensure that systems and programs further develop to respond to specific needs. Now, as social protection becomes a central and institutionalized instrument for poverty reduction in more and more countries, policy makers and practitioners are looking for practical approaches to make sure that these systems are more inclusive of persons with disabilities.

This session highlighted the progress made, continuing gaps and innovations in social protection systems and programs to support economic and social integration of persons with disabilities.

Panelists:

1. Alex Cote, Disability and Social Protection, Social Policy Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
2. Jo Rogers, Disability Consultant, Human and Social Development Sector Office, Sectors Group, ADB
3. Rhodora Alday, Director IV and Head of Policy Development and Planning Bureau, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippines
4. Sreng Sophomreaksmey, Director, General Secretariat for the National Social Protection Council (GS-NSPC), Cambodia
5. Sonnur Beerappa Muniraju, Deputy Advisor, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), India
6. Fatino Utumapu, Office Manager, Nuanua o le Alofa (N.O.L.A.), Samoa

Moderator
: Alradi Abdullah, Technical Advisor, International Disability Alliance

_____________

_____________