Lena Simet
Lena Simet is a senior researcher and advocate on poverty and inequality at Human Rights Watch. Her research focuses on social protection, labor rights in non-standard forms of employment like the app-based gig economy, and how austerity-driven budget cuts and the privatization of basic essential services can undermine human rights. Lena is a member of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development's Steering Committee.
Before joining Human Rights Watch, Lena was the coordinator and lead researcher of the Global Urban Futures Project at The New School University in New York, focusing on inequality, jobless economic growth, and climate change. She taught in the New School's international affairs program and the economics department at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She also worked as a consultant for non-governmental and international agencies, including UNDP, UN-Habitat, and GIZ. Lena is the author of the book "Cities and Economic Inequality in Latin America: Intra-Urban Inequality in Argentina" (Routledge, April 2022), and holds a PhD in Public and Urban Policy from The New School.
Articles Authored
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December 19, 2023
(Re)claiming the Right to Social Security
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September 15, 2023
An Opportunity to Embrace a Human Rights Economy
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September 12, 2023
Joining Forces for the Right to Social Security
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February 1, 2023
Nepal’s Social Protection System Reinforces Inequality
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December 12, 2022
Lebanon: Rising Poverty, Hunger Amid Economic Crisis
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October 27, 2022
Ending US Subminimum Tipped Wages can Reduce Poverty and Inequality
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October 24, 2022
The Nepal Government Should Expand Child Grants
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October 10, 2022
World Bank Guidance for Universal Social Protection is Lacking
Reports Authored
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Nepal’s Social Protection System Reinforces Inequality
Expand the Child Grant; Include Informal Workers
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Lebanon: Rising Poverty, Hunger Amid Economic Crisis
Government and World Bank Should Invest in Rights-Based Social Protection
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Ukraine/Russia: As War Continues, Africa Food Crisis Looms
Provide Aid, Expand Social Protection to Prevent Hunger
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IMF/World Bank: Targeted Safety Net Programs Fall Short on Rights Protection
Spring Meetings Opportunity to Reset Approach for Universal Social Protection
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US: Failure to Pass Build Back Better Act Imperils Rights
Can Advance Economic Justice, Fix Broken Safety Net, But More Needed
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United States: Pandemic Impact on People in Poverty
Current System Leaves Needs Unmet; Lasting Reforms Needed