Blog of Donatella Benjamin, SI UN Representative in Geneva.
Under the auspices of the United Nations in 1994, the first International Conference on Population Development (ICPD), held in Cairo, presented an ambitious and transformative perspective on the interplay between population dynamics, socio-economic progress, and individual welfare.
At its core, this conference emphasised a paradigm shift, recognising that population was not only about numbers, but about people, and that individual dignity and human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, are the basis for individual wellbeing and sustainable development.
The 30th anniversary of ICPD took place from 19 to 20 October 2023. During this event, the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia organized a regional conference on ICPD30 “Population and Development: Ensuring rights and Choices”.
Donatella Benjamin, SI Representative to the UN in Geneva, was invited to participate to a panel discussion on the third thematic session: inequalities, social inclusion and rights.
UNECE photo by Violaine Martin
Panel Discussion on Inequalities, Social Inclusion and Rights – Donatella Benjamin
During the panel, Donatella delivered a speech addressing the profound implications of the global ageing population, sharing reflections on poverty, vulnerability of older persons, and in particular older women, due to the intersection between ageing and gender.
By 2050, Donatella noted, over 20% of the world’s population will be aged 60 or older, with women making up the majority due to their longer life expectancies. This longevity presents both opportunities and challenges, such as increased social participation but also higher risks of disability and care needs, especially for women living alone.
The intersection of aging and gender highlights that older women are particularly vulnerable, often due to lower education, unpaid work, care responsibilities, pensions disparities, and the impact of climate change. Furthermore, the socioeconomic upheavals brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, regional crises, and rising inflation have exacerbated the risk of poverty and social exclusion, affecting disadvantaged groups, including older individuals and women.
The speech also referred to how ender disparities also intensify with age, and the pandemic has only widened these inequalities. Ageism and age discrimination further compound gender inequalities in older age. Despite pension systems in UNECE member states, varying coverage and benefit levels, along with discriminatory laws and practices, result in high poverty rates for older women in many countries. For instance, the gender pension gap in the European Union stands at 37.2%, more than double the gender pay gap of 14.1%.
Here, education emerges as a vital tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality, but while progress has been made, many older women, especially those over 65, still lack basic literacy skills. The digital gender divide is pronounced among older women due to limited exposure to new technologies.
Other issues mentioned during Donatella’s speech include loneliness and social isolation as common issues among older persons, particularly older women, with detrimental effects on health and well-being. However, despite their vulnerability, older women play crucial intergenerational roles, showing extraordinary resilience. Their contributions challenge stereotypes of passivity and dependence in later age, promoting the importance of older women in leadership, activism, and volunteering.
Some older women are engaged in activism and advocacy, challenging stereotypes and advocating for social justice and environmental protection. For instance, groups like Raging Grannies and Knitting Nannas draw attention to critical issues, and associations like “Klimaseniorinnen” have even taken legal action on climate change.
Donatella’s speech acknowledged the positive results achieved by programs and policies supporting older individuals in the UNECE region and calls for a paradigm shift. She emphasizes the importance of viewing older individuals, especially women, as rights holders and active agents of sustainable development, rather than mere beneficiaries of social welfare.
Concluding Thoughts
Donatella Benjamin’s thought-provoking speech delivered during ICPD30 sheds light on the challenges and opportunities presented by our rapidly aging global population, with a particular focus on the intersection of aging and gender. It underscores the urgent need for policy changes and societal shifts to ensure equal protection of the rights of older persons, especially older women.
To delve deeper into the profound insights shared in this speech, we invite you to explore the full transcript and consider the implications for creating a more equitable and sustainable future.
Donatella’s full speech can be found here.
Check out the highlights from the conference too!