A blog by Frances Zainoeddin, SI Representative, New York,
“I urge Soroptimists everywhere to also pay attention to older women. In many countries they are ostracised, neglected and abused (including financial abuse), often by family members and care-givers. Widows in some countries have no property rights and have no access to legal services. Many older women suffer from loneliness and isolation – being considered of little or no value. We must work to ensure societies are inclusive, where all people of all ages are able to contribute, prosper, enjoy their rights and live a life of dignity, from cradle to grave.
The International Federation on Ageing convened its 14th biennial global conference on ageing in Toronto, Canada from 8 – 10 August 2018, with master classes held on 7 August on a variety of subjects, including ageism, innovations in the care of dementia carers, and knowledge mobilisation. The main themes were: toward healthy ageing; combating ageism; age-friendly environments; and addressing inequalities. There were symposia, workshops and paper sessions where presenters came from over 70 countries – over 1,200 participants.
I was particularly impressed by the large numbers of young people attending, mainly young women, including many who were working on their Ph.D’s and presenting papers on topics covering a broad range of concerns of older persons, including, nutrition and diet, health and well-being, the impact of air pollution, age-friendly environments, invisibility and marginalisation, elder care-giving, reducing loneliness and isolation, palliative care, human rights issues, older worker employment, ageing in place.
While the discussions addressed the concerns of both older men and women, it was pointed out that demographic trends show that there are more older women than men, particularly at age 80 and above. The prevailing stereotypes of older women as frail, helpless and sick need to be challenged. And judging by the large number of older women attending the conference, it was evident that older women were active and engaged, some still working, others with second careers, and many were volunteers and many were themselves care-givers (mostly unpaid).
I gave presentations at two sessions that discussed ageing issues being addressed at the United Nations. Many were interested in the efforts led by the Latin American countries, to elaborate a legally binding instrument to protect the rights of older persons: https://social.un.org/ageing-working-group/ninthsession.shtml. Information on the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People can be found here: http://www.rightsofolderpeople.org/ There was also keen interest in the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities programme and its Campaign to Combat Ageism: http://www.who.int/ageing/en/
Lead Image: Frances with her Soroptimist bag hung proudly on my arm, together with a young women who presented a paper on the impact of certain particles in air pollution on the health of older persons.