Leveraging social protection programs for improved nutrition

The global forum on nutrition-sensitive social protection programs, convened by securenutrition and the Russian Federation, brought together 150 donors, implementers, and country leaders to identify practical ways to link the nutrition and social protection agendas. This paper served as a springboard for discussion at the global forum, and represents a synthesis of evidence from nearly 120 references with a heavy focus on program evaluations. The reach of social protection programs has grown extensively since the 1980s. Recent World Bank estimates show 64 countries running conditional cash transfers as opposed to only two in 1997 and the rapid doubling of countries in Africa implementing unconditional cash transfers - from 20 to 40 in just the last five years. This paper finds that social protection transfers tend to increase household budget devoted to food - often more than other income sources - and highlights evidence that transfers can change diet composition and quality. At the same time, the overall effects of income on nutrition outcomes are not clear and vary by country experience and across studies. Evidence indicates that knowledge of proper hygiene and feeding practices does not necessarily increase alongside purchasing power, hence the rationale to specifically encourage or program behavioral change communication.