E/C.12/GC/19 page 4 assisting the implementation by States parties of the Covenant and the fulfilment of their reporting obligations, this general comment focuses on the normative content of the right to social security (chapter II), on States parties' obligations (chapter III), on violations (chapter IV) and on implementation at the national level (chapter V), while the obligations of actors other than States parties are addressed in chapter VI. II. NORMATIVE CONTENT OF THE RIGHT TO SOCIAL SECURITY 9. The right to social security includes the right not to be subject to arbitrary and unreasonable restrictions of existing social security coverage, whether obtained publicly or privately, as well as the right to equal enjoyment of adequate protection from social risks and contingencies. A. Elements of the right to social security 10. While the elements of the right to social security may vary according to different conditions, a number of essential factors apply in all circumstances as set out below. In interpreting these aspects, it should be borne in mind that social security should be treated as a social good, and not primarily as a mere instrument of economic or financial policy. 1. Availability - social security system 11. The right to social security requires, for its implementation, that a system, whether composed of a single scheme or variety of schemes, is available and in place to ensure that benefits are provided for the relevant social risks and contingencies. The system should be established under domestic law, and public authorities must take responsibility for the effective administration or supervision of the system. The schemes should also be sustainable, including those concerning provision of pensions, in order to ensure that the right can be realized for present and future generations. 2. Social risks and contingencies 12. The social security system should provide for the coverage of the following nine principal branches of social security.8 to take steps to the “maximum of available resources” under an optional protocol to the Covenant (E/C.12/2007/1). 8 See in particular ILO Convention No. 102 (1952) on Social Security (Minimum Standards), which was confirmed by the ILO Governing Body in 2002 as an instrument corresponding to contemporary needs and circumstances. These categories were also affirmed by States and trade union and employer representatives in the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (2006), regulation 4.5, standard A4.5. The Committee’s revised general guidelines for State reporting of 1991 follow this approach. See also Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), arts. 11, 12 and 13.