Summary

Social protection is at the forefront of the development agenda in Nepal, given its positive social and
economic impacts.1 It is a key element of national strategies to promote human development, political
stability, and inclusive growth. Social protection ensures people enjoy income security, have effective access
to health and other essential services, and are empowered to take advantage of economic opportunities.
By protecting and supporting household incomes, social protection policies play a key role in stabilising
and boosting domestic demand, promoting decent work, and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth
as well as creating a conducive environment for the development of sustainable enterprises. Social
protection, therefore, is regarded as fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
to promote social justice and to realize the human right to social security for all. It contributes specifically
to the achievement of SDG target 1.3 which calls on States to “[i]mplement nationally appropriate social
protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the
poor and the vulnerable.”
In line with international standards, whereby social security is enshrined as a human right in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (1948, Arts 22 and 25), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural, and Other Human Rights Instruments, the Government of Nepal (GoN) has recognized social
protection as one of its priorities.2 The Constitution of 2015 recognizes social security as a right to all
citizens, explicitly in Article 43:
 “Right to social security: The indigent citizens, incapacitated and
helpless citizens, helpless single women, citizens with disabilities,
children, citizens who cannot take care themselves and citizens
belonging to the tribes on the verge of extinction shall have the right to
social security, in accordance with law.”
This is further reinforced in Article 33 on the Right to Employment, Article 41 on the Rights of Senior Citizens,
and Articles 37, 40, 42 highlight that women, Dalit, vulnerable groups, and indigenous communities
under threat of disappearing, respectively, should receive special attention to access social protection.
Furthermore, the Constitution also establishes social protection as a shared responsibility between
Federal, Provincial, and Local Governments.