Social  protection  policies  and  programmes  can  make a major contribution to reducing poverty among  chronically and severely poor people and securing their rights. However, negative perceptions of social protection transfers continue to influence national and international anti-poverty agendas. Most of the concerns raised are based on misconceptions. This briefing outlines evidence that demolishes some of the myths concerning social protection: 

• Social protection can be affordable
• Social  protection  can  both  alleviate  and  enable  people  to  escape  poverty as  transfers  are  invested  in  productive  activities,  human  development  and improving nutrition 
• Whether and how social protection should be targeted depends on the nature of poverty and specific social and political circumstances
• Potential misuse of social protection transfers can be avoided by delivering benefits  through trusted  institutions

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Authors: Rachel Marcus