This briefing paper explores the political economy of social protection and its effects on gender relations. It draws on multi-country research by ODI and national partners funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). It weaves together findings from interviews with key players, household surveys, focus group discussions and life histories with men, women and children across the lifecycle in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Rather than focus exclusively on cash and asset transfers, our research covers other social assistance instruments such as public works schemes and subsidy programmes for the poor.