Gender, age, and disability: Addressing the intersection

A brief  published by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)

The global population of older women, including those with disabilities, is increasing and they contribute to formal and informal economies as well as within families. However, they face discrimination, bias, and marginalization, which is further compounded for those with disabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened their situation, with gender-based violence increasing and anecdotal evidence suggesting that older women and women with disabilities are more affected. The brief emphasizes the need to promote and protect their rights and ensure their full and equal participation in society, as integral to the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its principle of Leave No One Behind. The brief provides recommendations for actions that stakeholders might consider and implement.

This brief highlights the critical issue of discrimination against older women with disabilities, who are systematically overlooked and underrepresented in development policies, programs, initiatives, legislation, and humanitarian efforts. The brief provides important statistics to demonstrate the scale of the issue, including the fact that older women accounted for 55% of the global population aged 65 years or over in 2020, and that the proportion of women in almost all populations increases with age. The brief also draws attention to the worsening situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides a set of recommendations for stakeholders to consider and implement to promote and protect the rights and dignity of older women with disabilities. This brief is an important read for policymakers, advocates, and anyone interested in promoting gender equality, inclusion, and human rights.

 Read the full brief - Gender, age, and disability: Addressing the intersection