The purpose of the side event is to discuss social protection practices that are relevant for girls and women and especially for mothers. Various national social protection systems, displaying diverse paths to realizing the universal right to social protection, are highlighted in the session by examples. The event underscores the importance of women's and girl's individual rights for social protection as a means for realizing gender equality. The side event will include presentations of quality daycare services and maternity and child health care clinics in Finland and from the health system in Zambia. The side event will introduce and discuss social protection practices and questions in partner countries.

The programme will approach social protection from the perspective of the multiple roles of women, especially mothers, as right holders, carers and workers. Social protection needs to be designed and implemented in a way that recognizes and addresses these multiple and intersecting roles.