ADB Brief No. 21: Gender Dimensions of the Social Protection Index: Results for Asia and the Pacific

This paper presents the findings from a research project on the Social Protection Index, which assesses the extent to which gender has been incorporated in social protection programs. The Social Protection Index is a measure of central government social protection expenditures relative to all potential beneficiaries assessed against poverty line expenditures in a country. It can be disaggregated in various ways to capture the magnitude, reach, and effectiveness of social protection programs. The objective of this paper is to provide analysis on the gender dimensions of social protection in Asia and the Pacific. This analysis will help policy makers consider and incorporate gender issues in developing and expanding social protection policies, strategies, and programs.