Human Rights-based Approaches To Social Protection Training Course

Introduction

At its core, Social Protection is increasingly recognized not merely as a welfare provision but as a fundamental Human Right, essential for dignity, equity, and inclusive development. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip policymakers, legal professionals, human rights advocates, social protection practitioners, and development experts with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to design and implement social protection systems grounded in human rights principles. Participants will gain a robust understanding of international human rights instruments, non-discrimination, participation, accountability, and the progressive realization of economic and social rights, enabling them to advocate for and build social protection systems that uphold the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the dynamic legal and social development landscape in Nairobi, Kenya, and across the African continent, empowering you to champion rights-based social justice.

This rights-based social policy course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya and across Africa striving to strengthen the legal and ethical foundations of their social protection programs, ensuring they are equitable, transparent, and accessible to the most marginalized populations. Mastering human rights principles in social safety nets, implementing non-discrimination and inclusion strategies, and understanding accountability mechanisms for social protection are indispensable for addressing systemic inequalities, empowering beneficiaries, and fostering truly transformative social change. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in rights-based development and social protection as a human right, positioning your organization at the forefront of securing universal social justice and advancing the well-being of all citizens across the region.

Target Audience

• Social Protection Policy Makers
• Human Rights Lawyers & Advocates
• Government Officials (Social Affairs, Justice)
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) & NGOs
• UN Agency Personnel
• Academia & Researchers in Human Rights/Social Policy
• Parliamentarians and Legal Aid Providers

Course Objectives

• Understand the conceptual framework of a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to social protection.
• Learn about international and regional human rights instruments relevant to social protection.
• Master the key human rights principles (non-discrimination, participation, accountability, transparency) in social protection.
• Develop proficiency in conducting human rights impact assessments of social protection policies.
• Apply HRBA principles to the design of social protection programs (targeting, conditionalities, benefits).
• Understand strategies for ensuring non-discrimination and inclusion for marginalized groups.
• Explore mechanisms for promoting meaningful participation of beneficiaries in social protection.
• Learn about robust accountability and grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs) from a human rights perspective.
• Identify legal and institutional frameworks essential for the progressive realization of social protection rights.
• Develop effective advocacy strategies for strengthening rights-based social protection.
• Understand the role of human rights monitoring and reporting in social protection.
• Drive the development of social protection systems that uphold dignity, equity, and human rights.
• Position yourself as a champion for social protection as a fundamental human right for all.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA) & Social Protection

• Defining HRBA: principles, processes, and outcomes
• Social protection as a human right: legal and ethical foundations
• The universal right to social security and adequate standard of living
• Overview of international human rights instruments (UDHR, ICESCR, CRPD, CEDAW, CRC)
• Relevance of HRBA to Kenya's social protection system and legal framework

Module 2: Key Human Rights Principles in Social Protection

• Non-discrimination and Equality: Ensuring social protection reaches all, especially marginalized groups
• Participation and Empowerment: Meaningful engagement of beneficiaries in program design and oversight
• Accountability and Rule of Law: Establishing clear responsibilities and redress mechanisms
• Transparency and Access to Information: Openness about policies, criteria, and processes
• Dignity and Respect: Upholding the inherent worth of all individuals

Module 3: Non-Discrimination and Inclusive Social Protection

• Identifying direct and indirect discrimination in social protection policies
• Addressing exclusion based on gender, age, disability, ethnicity, migrant status, etc.
• Designing universal vs. targeted programs through a non-discriminatory lens
• Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities
• Strategies for reaching and including hard-to-reach populations

Module 4: Participation and Empowerment in Social Protection

• Meaningful participation of beneficiaries in needs assessments and program design
• Establishing participatory feedback mechanisms
• Empowering beneficiaries to understand their rights and advocate for them
• Role of civil society organizations (CSOs) and community structures in participation
• From passive recipients to active rights-holders

Module 5: Accountability and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs)

• Establishing robust GRMs that are accessible, fair, and effective
• Ensuring transparency in grievance processes and decisions
• Linking GRMs to formal legal recourse and judicial review
• Monitoring human rights performance of social protection programs
• The role of national human rights institutions and ombudsmen

Module 6: Progressive Realization and Resource Mobilization

• Understanding the concept of progressive realization of economic and social rights
• Role of fiscal space analysis and resource mobilization in fulfilling social protection rights
• Prioritizing social protection in national budgets
• Advocating for increased and equitable public spending on social protection
• International cooperation and assistance in supporting social protection rights

Module 7: Policy Advocacy, Monitoring & Future Directions

• Developing human rights-based policy recommendations for social protection reform
• Using human rights monitoring tools and indicators to track progress
• Reporting on social protection to human rights treaty bodies
• Strategic litigation and legal aid for social protection rights
• Case studies and practical exercises on applying HRBA in the Kenyan context

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre.

We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.