THE first ever historic Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) meeting to protect the rights of older persons was held in Geneva in Feb, as global life expectancy increases with its challenges for health systems, economies and social structures.
The IGWG was created by the UN Human Rights Council in Apr 2025, and given the mandate to draft a legally binding UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
"It has taken older persons, with support from the not-so-old ones, over two decades of advocacy and efforts to reach this point where governments are convening to draft a legally binding possible treaty to age with rights," said Shobha Shukla, representing the Development Justice for Older Persons campaign.
"The process follows the recognition that existing international human rights treaties do not specifically address the human rights of older people, leaving them vulnerable to violations, particularly regarding access to care, social protection, and in humanitarian crises," Shukla explained.
The Convention is expected to protect the rights of older persons, recognise the valuable economic and social contributions older persons make and provide a comprehensive and coherent framework for a world free from ageism and age discrimination.
We are living in an age of ageing with a fast-growing number of older people.
Life expectancy has increased significantly in most settings over recent years, and by 2050, the population of persons above 60 years of age is projected to grow to 2.1 billion (nearly one fifth of the total global population).
Longevity is one of humanity's greatest achievements, yet the promise of longer life is too often accompanied by persistent gaps in the protection of human rights.
Instead of celebrating older age, we fear it and ageism fuels this fear.
Ageism includes harmful norms, stereotypes, narratives and tropes against older persons.
It affects women more than men; less educated more than better educated.
Ageism directly impacts health-seeking behaviour of older people.
Research suggests that people with more negative views on ageing experience poorer health.
Attributing many diseases and disabilities to old age is largely ageism.
Features of our homes and outside environment (like safe and user-friendly access to utilities) are important contributory factors in maintaining health and independence as we age.
Health promotion must include disease prevention (both non-communicable diseases and communicable or infectious diseases) in every age group, and not just the elderly.
Many age-related diseases and disabilities are often preventable, or their severity can be reduced, if healthy living and active ageing is promoted for every age.
For many older people, these challenges are compounded by intersecting forms of stigma as well as intersectional discrimination, including on the basis of gender, disability, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Older people want to lead a meaningful life and require support mechanisms, including social and financial security, to continue to function positively.
They need affordable and comfortable public transport, safe spaces for physical activities and easily accessible healthcare, Shukla pointed out.
"We need strong laws to stop all forms of harassment faced by the elderly and make commuting, workspaces, working hours, nature of work, health services, social security support systems, friendly for them if governments truly walk the talk on active ageing and against ageism," she added.
The establishment of the IGWG by the UN Human Rights Council represents a decisive step forward.
Its first session has opened a new chapter in a collective effort to address the conceptual and normative gaps in the international human rights framework as it relates to older people.
However, as the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, has rightly remarked, "A legally binding instrument will not, by itself, resolve all the challenges older persons face.
"Its effectiveness will depend on political will, adequate resources, strong institutions, and sustained societal transformation."
This article was contributed by Bobby Ramakant, editor at Citizen News Service.
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