Social security refers to a set of public policies, programmes and institutional mechanisms designed to protect individuals and households from economic and social risks such as poverty, unemployment, illness, disability, old age, maternity and loss of livelihood. From a gender and governance perspective, social security is especially important because women often face structural disadvantages arising from unequal wages, unpaid care work, limited access to property and productive resources, informal employment and social discrimination. Women’s social security needs are distinct because a large proportion of women work in the informal sector, where employment is insecure and statutory benefits are limited. Domestic workers, agricultural labourers, construction workers, home-based workers and self-employed women frequently lack health insurance, pension, maternity benefits and employment protection. Women’s unpaid care