Despite unprecedented global social and economic progress over the past decades, there are numerous groups in every society that were not able to sufficiently profit from it and serious inequalities within societies persist. Virtually everywhere, there are individuals and groups that face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in society, the economy or politics. Conflicts and disasters made millions of people extremely vulnerable, without means and protection. To get closer to achieving stable, inclusive and just societies, it is necessary to address discrimination and social injustice, assist those currently left behind to become a valued part of society and protect vulnerable groups affected by natural or man-made disasters.
In PIN’s understanding, social exclusion is a state in which individuals are unable to participate fully in economic, social, political and cultural life, as well as the process leading to and sustaining such a state. People are excluded by institutions and behaviour that reflect, enforce and reproduce prevailing social attitudes and values, particularly those of powerful groups in society. The opposite concept, social inclusion, is a process of improving the terms of participation in society for people who are disadvantaged on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic or other status, through enhanced opportunities, access to resources, voice and respect for rights. Promoting social inclusion requires removing barriers to people’s participation (including certain laws, policies, and institutions) as well as addressing discriminatory attitudes and behaviours, and taking active steps to make such participation easier. Social protection is a set of policies and programmes designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting inclusive and efficient labour markets, diminishing people’s exposure to risks, and enhancing their capacity to protect themselves against hazards and interruption or loss of income.
Humanitarian protection (further on also referred to as “protection”) are efforts leading to greater safety and dignity of people affected by armed conflict, protracted crisis or disaster which left them vulnerable. It is about helping people be safe from harm or abuse and helping them to recover from harm as well as to secure access to their rights. The SIP strategy includes protection when it is the main explicit objective of humanitarian interventions. Protection as a cross-cutting commitment in humanitarian assistance, is further described in PIN’s Emergency preparedness and response Strategy.
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