Globally, it is estimated that only one in five people has adequate social security coverage, whereas half the world's population has no formal social protection. The lack of coverage is concentrated mostly in the informal economy and rural areas where the population is relatively more vulnerable to social and natural risks. Extending social protection to excluded populations is one of the priorities of the ILO's strategy for decent work.

Accordingly, at the International Labour Conference of the ILO in June 2001 was launched the Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All. The ILO imitative combines research, dissemination of good practices, experimentation, technical assistance and cooperation, communication, partnerships and learning activities.

In this context, we are organizing this course on strategies for the extension of social protection. Our main objective is to strengthen the capacity of key actors and stakeholders to more effectively extend social protection benefits to workers in the informal economy. Special attention is needed for gender sensitive approaches in order to take into account the needs and the development opportunities of all.