i. Ensuring transparency and access to information To comply with human rights obligations States must guarantee transparency and access to information on social protection. Transparency and access to information are essential elements of accountability. States must implement programmes in a manner that allows individuals to easily recognize and understand (a) eligibility criteria, (b) the specific benefits they will receive, and (c) the existence and nature of complaints and redress mechanisms. Limited access to information by minorities impedes their access to programmes and their ability to claim their rights. Non-transparent implementation of cash transfers progrgammes risk perpetuating unequal power relations and increasing the likelihood of mismanagement. Information on the results of monitoring and evaluating mechanisms must also be made available. Information must be accessible, culturally appropriate and provided in a manner which is also accessible to the illiterate. ii. Ensuring meaningful and effective participation From a human rights perspective, participation of persons belonging to minority groups in the program is not simply something desirable from the point of view of ownership and sustainability, but it refers to their right to participate. It has profound consequences for the design and implementation of social protection programs. Due to the asymmetry of power between minorities and the authorities that administer these programs, minorities are often unable to protect their rights. Without fair and effective mechanisms that enable them to actively participate, a CTP, for example, is vulnerable to political manipulation. Participation also contributes to ensuring social cohesion and building political support for the programmes.