Lauren Whitehead

Fighting for the rights of all people, especially the most marginalized, to access inclusive social protection and gender equality globally. @UNICEFSocPolicy

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Social protection is a human right, yet billions of women and girls are excluded. Amid growing backlash, it remains essential to gender equality.

Today, @WomenDeliver 2026 begins, elevating feminist, indigenous, and youth-led leadership, and defending hard-won progress.

#WD2026

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Missed our gender-responsive social protection symposium in February?

Join us this Thursday to explore key outcomes and takeaways on #GenderResponsive #SocialProtection, including on unpaid care and the care economy.

🕛12:00 GMT / 8:00 EDT
🔗https://t.co/zEjVcpCSh3

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

How can gender-responsive social protection dismantle barriers and advance justice?

Hear from global leaders, researchers, and practitioners at our #CSW70 high-level discussion tomorrow.

🕘 9:00 - 10:15 AM (ET)
🗓️ 17 March 2026
🔗 https://t.co/zBu0KSfxGM

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Empowering women and girls starts with systems that work for them.

On 17 March, join @UNICEF and @FCDOGovUK at #CSW70 for our side event on Social Protection as a Pathway to Justice and Equality.

Register: https://t.co/zBu0KSfxGM

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

This #IWD2026, we celebrate the power of gender‑responsive social protection to drive equality for women and girls.

Social protection is a human right and a proven pathway to dignity, resilience, and opportunity for all.

[Lauren Whitehead @lwhitehead301]

Until we have more gender-responsive and inclusive social protection, we cannot truly have impactful social protection

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Social protection can address poverty and gender inequality across the life course for girls, boys, women and men.

And when programmes are designed with gender in mind, everyone wins.

[Lauren Whitehead @lwhitehead301]

@UNICEFSocPolicy Until we have more gender-responsive and inclusive social protection, we cannot truly have impactful social protection

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Social protection can address poverty and gender inequality across the life course for girls, boys, women and men.

And when programmes are designed with gender in mind, everyone wins.

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

At the Global Caregiver Forum, we heard:

➡️ Care is as essential as vaccination for children
➡️ We need to dismantle gendered norms that romanticize caregiving
➡️ Investing in caregiver mental health is critical for children
➡️ Strong, integrated care systems are urgently needed

[Lauren Whitehead @lwhitehead301]

Check out our joint blog with World Bank colleagues on how to structure family-friendly policies even for the informal sector.

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Parental leave and childcare support child development and help parents, especially mothers, stay in the workforce.

A Nepal study shows policies must be inclusive, fair, and well-funded to truly support families.

🔗https://t.co/eikTSJlRpC

#EarlyMomentsMatter

[UNICEF USA @UNICEFUSA]

Barriers like poverty, underrepresentation and disenfranchisement disproportionately impact girls worldwide.

@UNICEFSocPolicy's new initiative, We Deserve Better, aims to address these challenges and help ensure all women and girls are represented. https://t.co/D0UB0bQRv7

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Women and girls agree that social protection must be gender-responsive, shows our new report: https://t.co/bvxsnsz9ka

Providing social protection and links to jobs and skills is critical to making #GirlsVisionForTheFuture a reality.

#DayOfTheGirl | #WeDeserveBetter

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Participatory policymaking in social protection is key for gender equality.

Our new #WeDeserveBetter report amplifies the voices of women and girls worldwide, aligning with the #PactForTheFuture, which underlines youth participation and social protection. https://t.co/zrAWqT4ivr

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Happening today at #UNGA: A dynamic discussion with leaders and youth advocates.

@UNICEF highlights four proven solutions to boost progress by 2030, including scaling up child benefits.

The time to invest is now! Find out more. ⬇️

https://t.co/vEByLaNThr

[Lauren Whitehead @lwhitehead301]

The verdict is in and the results are promising-- social protection can drive gender equality outcomes!

@Nwinderrossi @clara_ceravolo

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Social protection plays a pivotal role in driving transformative change for gender equity and inclusion.

Here are some of our results related to gender-responsive and transformative social protection from 2023: https://t.co/DVVk9k834R

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Despite progress in expanding social protection, worldwide 1.8 billion children under 18 remain uncovered.

We must act now to secure their future.

Read the new @ilo World Social Protection Report for more insights: https://t.co/Lq3BuNSezf

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Everyone has the right to social protection. Yet many are left behind—especially women and girls.

Yesterday, we highlighted the importance of making social protection more gender-responsive, which strengthens communities and societies for every person.
#WeDeserveBetter | #CSW68

[Alicia Herbert OBE @AliciaH_1]

Women and girls deserve better

They need policies that address poverty and respond to their needs.

Pleased to join @UNICEF and @Hewlett_Found to discuss the powerful role of social protection and inclusive policy making.

#CSW68 #WeDeserveBetter

[Lauren Whitehead @lwhitehead301]

What do women and girls want? BETTER #socialprotection to fit their needs. When do they want it? NOW!

Join us on 13 March and 14 March for #CSW68 including livestream on 14 March.
@UNICEFSocPolicy @clara_ceravolo @Nwinderrossi

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Starting today, world leaders meet at #CSW68 to highlight solutions to tackle gender equality, poverty, social protection and financing.
Join us and our partners at the #WeDeserveBetter events:
🗓️13 March, UNICEF House
🗓️14 March, UN Secretariat & live at: https://t.co/PfBv3lAhy9