Statement by India under Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2: The rights of older women and their economic empowerment In the 41stSession of the Human Rights Council ( 24 June 12 July 2019), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 28th June 2019) Statement by India under Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2: The righ..
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Statement by India under Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2: The rights of older women and their economic empowerment In the 41stSession of the Human Rights Council ( 24 June 12 July 2019), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 28th June 2019)

Statement by India under Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2: The rights of older women and their economic empowerment

In the 41stSession of the Human Rights Council ( 24 June – 12 July 2019),

delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary,

Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 28th June 2019)

Madam Vice President,

Older women in India face the higher risk of ending up in poverty in older age due to multiple disadvantages faced by them throughout their life-course. The National Policy on Older Persons of India was launched in 1999 to address issues concerning older persons including older women. Our population would consist of 20% of older persons by 2050 where older women outnumbers that of men. Higher rates of chronic illness, non-communicable diseases, disability, lower social and mental health status, loneliness and economic dependency are the risks for women in later life especially if they are single and/or widowed.

2. Taking these factors into account, a new national policy on senior citizens is under consideration. The proposed policy is expected to address issues concerning older women in socio-economic, financial, health and shelter. All senior citizens, especially widows, single women would be eligible for all schemes of government. Mainstreaming older women, and their concerns into the national development debate, priority to implement mechanisms already set by governments, support by civil society and senior citizens associations towards them is the key feature. Additional pension in case of disability and other misfortunes, recognizing gender-based attitudes towards healthcare, programmes for regular health checkups especially for older women who tend to neglect their problems, developing housing complexes for single older women and for those with need for specialized care are some other features.

3. The population aged 60 and over is growing faster across the world. We appreciate greater attention to older women and their problems as they end up suffering more due to multiple gender-based discrimination.

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