5 Myths About Social Protection

There are many myths about social protection that obstruct the understanding of social protection as a powerful force for protecting individuals and societies from risks.

To illustrate what social protection is about and more importantly to debunk some of the misconceptions around it, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Oliver De Schutter, is presenting an animated video. The video is focusing on the 5 most persistent myths:

• Myth 1: “Welfare makes people lazy”
• Myth 2: “There is too much fraud in social assistance”
• Myth 3: “There is not enough money to cover solidarity mechanisms”
• Myth 4: “Social and health services only benefit the poor”
• Myth 5: “Public health, education and social services are bad for economy”

FES Geneva is supporting the Special Rapporteur in his campaign to advocate for global social protection. Because where it exists, social protection is an impactful tool for protecting individuals and societies from various risks. It strengthens their resilience. It redistributes wealth, allowing families to invest in well-being, and to live in dignity.