Cash Transfer Programs in MENA from a Child Rights Perspective

In recent years the Middle East and North Africa region has seen a number of social protection reforms, which have often included the removal of universal subsidies and the introduction of targeted cash transfer programs. An ever-growing body of research has documented the positive effects of cash transfers on children, not only on reducing monetary poverty but also on improving key determinants of multidimensional poverty. Despite increased efforts, many of the region’s cash transfer programs remain small in scale and their design could be improved to better respond to children’s needs by making, amongst others, more explicit linkages to nutrition and health services. In addition, only few programs are embedded in a legal framework, an important attribute to guarantee children’s right to social protection.