Social Cash Transfers and Pro-Poor Growth *

Social cash transfers are emerging in many developing countries as a lead social protection initiative tackling poverty and vulnerability. Importantly, increasing evidence is suggesting that social cash transfers can contribute to pro-poor growth by providing an effective risk management tool, by supporting human capital development and by empowering poor households to lift themselves out of poverty. Social protection refers to policies and actions for the poor and vulnerable which enhance their capacity to cope with poverty, and equip them to better manage risks and shocks. Social protection includes a portfolio of instruments, including social cash transfers. 1