The Organization of American States (OAS) promotes a rights-based approach to social protection in Latin America through various inter-American human rights mechanisms and frameworks. This includes treaties that establish rights to social security and protections for older persons. The OAS also advocates for comprehensive social protection systems based on principles of universality, equality, inclusion and solidarity through initiatives like the Social Charter of the Americas. It facilitates regional cooperation to strengthen institutions and policies from a perspective that recognizes individuals of all ages as rights holders rather than just beneficiaries.

1. Finding Ways Forward: Challenges and
Opportunities in Creating Rights-based
Social Protection Systems
The Role of the OAS in Promoting a Rights-based Approach to
Social Protection in Latin America
Alexandra N. Barrantes
Promotion of Equity Section Chief
DIS/OAS
September 17, 2015

2. OAS: regional
framework & mechanisms

3. Inter-American human rights system: interdependence of rights; advancing social rights agenda;
right to social security (Additional Protocol to the American Convention on HHRR in the Area of
ESCRs “Protocol of San Salvador”, Inter-American Convention on Protecting the HHRR of Older
Persons, among others); concepts of equity, social justice and non-discrimination at the core of OAS.

4. Social Charter of the Americas + Plan of Action: Create or strengthen
comprehensive social protection (SP) systems based on respect for human
rights and on the principles of universality, sustainability, equality, inclusion,
shared responsibility, solidarity and equity that include the generation of
opportunities needed for families and individuals in vulnerable circumstances to
enhance their well-being and quality of life.

5. High-level regional policy dialogues and cooperation mechanisms for
institutional strengthening

6. Social Protection Joint Statements from a rights and intersectoral perspective.

7. OAS rights -based approach to Social
Protection
• Based on the rights under the Inter-American human rights system: individuals
as right holders and agents of change, shift from “beneficiaries”; and principles
of universality, sustainability, equality, inclusion, shared responsibility, solidarity
• Recognition of need for comprehensive and integrated social protection
systems, and inter-sectoral coordination vs. fragmentation among different
levels of government and among different organized social services
• Life cycle perspective, individuals all ages as right holders and participants in
their own development
• Concepts of equity, social justice and non-discrimination at the core of OAS
founding documents
• More rights for more people: OAS General Secretariat

8. Resources:
Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN)
community of practice:
http://socialprotectionet.org
Working Group PSS:
http://www.oas.org/en/sedi/dsi/protocol-ssv/
Indicators for measuring rights under the PSS:
http://www.oas.org/en/sedi/pub/progress_indicators.pdf
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