Social protection – policies and programmes designed to reduce and prevent poverty and vulnerability – is a human right and a commitment in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is an effective policy instrument to address crises such as climate change and conflicts and their links with poverty, hunger and inequality. Many people now have access to social protection, but many more still do not. This is especially worrying in rural areas, where many poor and vulnerable people have little access to financial and social services, and informal employment is widespread. These poor and vulnerable rural households face colossal challenges in taking advantage of economic opportunities, such as those in agrifood systems.

If rural people do not have access to adequate and comprehensive social protection, they risk being left behind, blocking progress on reducing poverty and inequality.