The Approach
Protection mainstreaming is the process of incorporating protection principles and promoting meaningful access, safety and dignity in humanitarian aid. The following elements must be taken into account in all humanitarian activities.
Prioritize safety & dignity, and avoid causing harm
Prevent and minimize as much as possible any unintended negative effects of your intervention which can increase people’s vulnerability to both physical and psychosocial risks.
Meaningful Access
Arrange for people’s access to assistance and services – in proportion to need and without any barriers. Pay special attention to individuals and groups who may be particularly vulnerable or have difficulty accessing assistance and services.
Accountability
Set-up appropriate mechanisms through which affected populations can measure the adequacy of interventions, and address concerns and complaints.
Participation and Empowerment
Support the development of self-protection capacities and assist people to claim their rights, including – not exclusively – the rights to shelter, food, water and sanitation, health, and education.
Featured Publications
GPC Protection Mainstreaming Toolkit
GPC Protection Mainstreaming Training Package
GPC Brief on Protection Mainstreaming
Mainstreaming Protection in Cash and Voucher Assistance
The risks that arise in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) are usually related to programme design, rather than being inherent to the use of cash. Programmes that include CVA, like all other humanitarian activities, should at a minimum, incorporate the key protection principles: safety and dignity, accountability and participation, meaningful access.
- Safer Cash Toolkit: (including English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Amharic, Swahili, Dari, Pashto)
- Cash and GBV Compendium also available in Spanish, French, Arabic and Somali
- Cash-Based interventions & Protection Webcast
