Social protection programs are increasingly important for supporting vulnerable groups in Asia, including the poor and elderly, but fragmented delivery of services is undermining their impact and effectiveness.
Providing a decent, secure and dignified way of life for the elderly is set to become one of the most pressing concerns facing policymakers in Asia in coming years.
There is a seemingly hidden problem for Asia in providing economic, social and emotional security for the elderly. But drawing on the experiences of more developed economies, I think there is a silver lining behind this – an opportunity if actions are taken now to provide care and to give dignity to the elderly in Asia.
There is a saying if you live in Asia and don’t work in public service, you will stop working only when you die. According to the United Nations (UN 2008), many of the poor are older persons living in rural areas due to low and insufficient lifetime earnings.
The Social Protection Index is a relatively simple indicator that divides total expenditures on social protection by the total number of intended beneficiaries of ADB's social protection programs.
While a CCT program may address gender-specific vulnerabilities, it is not a panacea. CCTs cannot guarantee the social and economic autonomy of women.
