Social Protection for Women Workers in the Informal Economy: A Regional Framework

Regional instruments are playing an increasingly important role in social protection of women workers in the informal economy, including in the empowerment of women, the promotion of equality and decent work for all women.When one considers the applicable regional instruments of the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community, they contain provisions that address the specific challenges in the region as opposed to international instruments that are more generic.Regional instruments can, therefore, be more effective in addressing specific challenges that workers in a region may face.Regional instruments do not function in isolation and highlight the importance of international standards.This chapter recommends that regional standards must not become mere symbolic instruments with no reflection or enforcement in national legislation, policies and programmes.However, the success of regional institutions and instruments also depends on cooperation and support of all role players to end poverty and to ensure prosperity for all.