What is Protection Mainstreaming?

Protection mainstreaming is the process of incorporating protection principles and promoting meaningful access, safety and dignity in humanitarian aid. The key protection principles that must be taken into account in all humanitarian activities are:

Do No Harm: Avoid exposing people to further harm as a result of your actions or inactions and protect people from physical and psychological harm.

Equality: Ensure people’s meaningful access to impartial assistance and services - in proportion to need and without any barriers (i.e. discrimination). Pay special attention to individuals and groups who may be particularly vulnerable or have difficulty accessing assistance and services.

Accountability to beneficiaries: Accountability to beneficiaries: Mechanisms through which affected populations can measure the adequacy of interventions, or address concerns and complaints.

Participation and Empowerment: support the development of self-protection capacities and assist people to claim their rights, including the right

GPC Brief on Protection Mainstreaming (PDF, 167 KB)

GPC Reference List on Protection Mainstreaming (PDF, 525 KB)