Towards a Rights-Based Social Protection System for Lebanon

Ensuring income and dignity in older age and moving towards an inclusive and rights-based social protection system – a call for a rights-based social protection system for Lebanon.

There is an urgent need to protect the wellbeing and livelihoods of the Lebanese population, and develop new approaches that can address the underlying causes of the crises, while responding to demands of a new social contract and social justice.

This brief sets out to provide a concise analysis of the state of Lebanon’s social protection system in the context of the ongoing economic and social crisis, with a particular focus on the ability of the country’s social protection system to ensure income security in old age for all Lebanese. This is followed by an assessment whether a tax-funded non-contributory social pension could be a feasible action towards ensuring at least basic income security for all older Lebanese, as well as the development of a more effective, inclusive, and rights-based social protection system for the country as whole. Complementing the discussion of an older age social pension, this brief explores opportunities to provide additional support to persons with disabilities, including older people with disabilities.