6th plenary meeting - Commission on the Status of Women, Seventieth session (CSW70) - Round table on focus area

Good morning.

I call to order to the sixth meeting of the Commission of Status of Women at its CNTF session.

Item 3B Emerging issues, trends, focus area and new approaches to a question affecting the situation of women, including equality between women and men. I invite the Commission to begin its consideration of the sub item B of the Agenda three to hold the the second Ministerial Roundtable.

Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished participants, Good morning. Rwanda is honored to chair this Ministerial Roundtable on the theme Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of All Older Women. Excellencies in Rwanda. The protection and well being of older women is addressed through a combination of policy, legal safeguard, social protection programs and initiatives that give dignity to elderly persons. At the normative level, Rwanda has strengthened protection of older persons through ratification and implementation of the Africa Protocol on the Rights of Other Persons and the Maputo Protocol.

Particular care is given to prevent against violence, abuse and discrimination of older women. Rwanda has also taken step to reinforce the economic security of the elderly. This includes legal pensions, legal pension, a monthly grant to those without pension and programs such as the Ejoheza which encourages long term saving and helps citizens prepare for income security in the elder age. Rwanda has further adopted the National Order Pension policy that promotes healthy aging, awareness of elder persons rights and the creation of stronger intergenerational linkage. In such fola, cultural values and ethics are passed on from elderly to young.

The elderly in exchange gain access to information and care from the young. The benefits to the elderly are. Other benefits to elderly are free access to legal advice, a program of free housing allocated to the homeless elderly, free health insurance and the establishment of the Rwanda Elderly Adversary Forum, a platform where highly experienced citizens over the age of 70 contribute ideas in important socioeconomic development priorities. I thank you for your kind attention.

I now invite the Commission to begin interactive dialogue of this Ministerial roundtable. We will now listen to interventions from the floor based on the expression of interest received. All participants are invited to speak for their seats. In order to maximize the time available to us, allow as many as participants as possible to take the floor. I would like all speakers to kindly observe the time limit of three minutes for interventions.

As per practice, the microphones will be automatically muted when the rotated time has elapsed. I also would like to remind speakers to kindly deliver statements at normal speaking speed and to send the copies to the statement to estatementn.org to facilitate interpretation and for uploading in the Estatement portal and the Journal of UN United Nations. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I apologize in advance to any speakers who may be interrupted.

I now give the floor to Her Excellency Denise Sakowa, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Slovakia.

Motion thank you for the floor. Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we welcome the focus of this session on achieving gender equality and empowerment of of all older women in the context of demographic change. This discussion is not only timely, it is essential for the sustainability and fairness of our societies. Across Europe and globally, populations are aging.

Women live longer than men on average, yet too often they live those additional years with lower incomes, reduced access to services and greater risk of social isolation. Despite their lifelong contributions, older women are still insufficiently reflected in mainstream gender equality policies. Slovakia recognizes this gap and is taking steps to address it. One of the most significant measures adopted by our government in recent pensions reform aimed at reducing the gender pension gap. Women's pensions were disproportionately lower due to time spent outside of formal labor market market caring for children.

Our reform corrects this structural imbalance by ensuring that periods devoted to child care are fairly reflected in pension entitlements. In doing so, we acknowledge caregiving as a social contribution, not a penalty. Slovakia continues to strengthen access to health care and social services for all the persons, including community based services. We also welcome the efforts of the international community to advance promotion and protection of the human rights of all the peasants, including all the women. Slovakia has strongly supported the work of the United Nations Open Ended Working Group on Aging as well as the United Nations Human Rights Council in its endeavor aimed at elaborating an international, legally binding instrument on the rights of all the patents.

Thank you very much.

I thank honorable Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Slovakia. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Julakte Zarken, Minister of Social Security and Reba of Lithuania.

Thank you, Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to speak on behalf of the Republic of Lithuania. To empower older women, we must create the conditions for their active and health aging. Let me share some examples from Lithuania that help older women in daily life. First, women age 16 and over represent an important labor market potential to support their continued participation in the labor market and enable a smoother transition into retirement. As of 1st July 2026, we will extend the maximum duration of unemployment benefit from 11 months to 1 1/2 year.

This measure will help them to remain economically active and avoid the poverty trap. Second, supporting NGOs representing older people and the universities of the third age, where women account for about 85% of participants. We help strengthen their learning opportunities and social interaction. Importantly, these activities are also attended by Ukrainian women who fled their homes, offering them a space to integrate into community life. This world is funded by the government and municipalities, ensuring its lasting impact.

Third, through initiatives like Connected Lithuania and no One Left behind, we help older people build digital confidence. This includes practical training in libraries, providing courses and encouraging volunteering. Finally, the Law of the Framework of Older People's Policy now before Parliament we strengthen the social inclusion of older women and make their rights and needs a state's priority. We also plan to formalize volunteering by older people, giving their contribution clearer status and strongest support. Honorable Chair, leaders and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen. Sorry, as society is strong only when both young and older women feel safe, valued and supported. Thank you.

I thank the Minister of Social Security and the REBA of Lithuania. And now I give the floor to Her Excellency Elizabeth Bomos NEDA Federal Council and head of the Switzerland Federation Department of Home Affairs.

Merci beaucoup, Madame. Thank you very much. Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

Discussions remind us of something.

Aging is not gender neutral. Inequalities that litter our life are accumulated and strengthened with age. Switzerland welcomes the attention rightly paid to this topic. We must state that older women are far too often made invisible In Switzerland, across all the whole working life, women earn around on average 40% less than men. This gap is explained by the high proportion of women who work part time.

Given the unequal division of domestic labour care and raising of family members, this will inevitably have an impact on women in their retirement. Though despite their rights and not social provisions are under provided to older women. We therefore need to act throughout women's lives. By way of example, Switzerland is strengthening its support for extra family support with leave paid for parents and family members who help. And also an older age requires support on health care and prevention.

Working with civil society, for example, you know, using their in the field expertise, which is very useful. This is something that also helps as well. Switzerland also launched a nationwide program on medicine, health and gender as well as a study on the quality of treatment of illnesses that women suffer from. There's also greater coordination that's been set up on dementia to improve services provided for those affected, but also to support their families. Women are not only the most affected by dementia, but they're also far too often diagnosed far too late.

It is even more gloomy when we mention the fact that older women are exposed to domestic violence more often as well. A national program, Aging Without Violence will strengthen prevention and lift break taboos. Investing ladies and gentlemen in equality at an older age means correcting structural imbalances and building societies that are more just for all generations. It is our responsibility to do this. Thank you very much for your attention.

I thank the Federal Council Head of Swiss Federation Department of Former Affairs. I now give the floor to the His Excellency Abu Dhakil Teri Ken, Minister of Family, labor and Social Protection of Mongaree.

Honorable Chair, Distinguished guests and Delegates, the world is entering a new era of population aging. In Mongolia as well, the proportion of older persons is steadily increasing. By 2025, people age 60 and above accounted for about 10% of the total population and by 2050, 1 in 5 people is projected to be an older person. The majority of these older persons are women. In particular, women significantly outnumber men aged 70 and above, which indicates a growing number of single and female headed older households.

In this context, it has become a policy priority to recognize older persons not as a social burden, but as a valuable social capital with experience and knowledge to improve their quality of life and ensure accessible social services. Through social protection policies, Mongolia has introduced gender responsive measures such as counting each biological adopted child as an additional one year and six months toward women's pension interest contribution period, allowing herders to retire five years earlier than the standard retirement age, covering 50% of herders pension contributions through state support. Furthermore, the government is undertaking policy reforms to protect the rights of older persons, promote healthy and active ageing, increase employment opportunities and develop care service systems. With the amendments made in 2024 to the low and elderly, we have created opportunities at the local level to develop centers that support lifelong learning, digital skills, cultural and sports activities, volunteer engagement. In addition, we are expanding short and long term care services for single older persons and those with declining health based on cooperation between government and non governmental organizations.

We have also declared 2026 as the year of supporting employment and have begun implementing policies to continue engaging senior professionals in economic and social life through advisory and knowledge sharing roles. At the same time, welfare policies are being implemented to provide support and benefits to single mothers, women with family members requiring care and mothers caring for children with disab. However, older women remain at higher risk of reduced social participation and exposure to economic and psychological vulnerabilities due to unpaid care work, declining health and limited income. Therefore, Mongolia is strengthening its legal framework to better protect older persons from pension and asset exploitation, abuse and violence by clarifying accountability mechanisms. Going forward, Mongolia will remain committed to enhancing social protection and employment support for older women for improving access to services in remote areas into increasing their participation in society.

Thank you for your attention labor and Social Protection of Morgan Mongoli. I am pleased to welcome the Under Secretary General, Executive Director of executive director of UNFPA, Ms. Dana Keita, who will give the who will be delivering. You are welcome, your Excellency. She will be delivering the closing remarks today and we look forward to hearing from her. Now I give the floor to to Her Excellency Karen Pallen, Federal Minister of Education, Family Affairs, Social Citizen, Women and Youth of Germany

Honorable Chair Distinguished Colleagues, One of the most encouraging developments of the past decades is the increased life expectancy worldwide.

According to estimates by the United nations, in 2050, for the first time in history, there will be more people over 60 than under 16. At the same time, the gain in life years is increasingly also a gain in healthy life years. However, we must not ignore that no age cohort is as diverse as that of older people. Within this group, women represent the majority. That is why we must pay special attention to the rights of older women enshrined in CEDAW and the General Human Rights Convention.

During the ongoing negotiations of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons. Prospects for aging well do not only arise in later life, they are the results of an entire life course pools and are unevenly distributed in society. The ninth Government report on older people clearly shows opportunities for older people to participate are heavily influenced by education, careers, care, work income, health, living environment and social engagement. Older women in particular have a migrant background, are disproportionately at risk of poverty.

In my country in Germany, in the past 10 to 15 years, their risk of poverty has increased above average. Discrimination experienced by women during their life course accumulates in older age and will be additionally reinforced by stereotypes and negative images of old age. At the same time, older women contribute greatly to social cohesion. They are vital pillars of society, in particular by providing unpaid family care work across generations. One measure of the German government against poverty among older women is mother's pension.

In Germany, women and also men get a higher pension when they have raised children. If we take the guiding Principles of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind seriously, we must eliminate discrimination, acknowledge diversity in older age and more visible pay tribute to the achievements of older women. Strengthening older women is not a marginal question. It's a requirement for just and resilient societies based on solidarity. Thank you.

I thank the Federal Minister of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizen Women and Youth of Germany. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Lichi Vardes, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State of Canada.

Thank you so much. Madam Chair, Excellencies, Ministers, colleagues, I am proud to represent Canada today to share our efforts to address the inequalities that continue to impact older women. Women like my mom are grateful for this.

We know Canadian women tend to live longer than men, but for many these extra years come with a higher risk of poverty. Lifelong income inequality shaped by a gender wage gap, unpaid caregiving responsibilities, part time work and career interruptions means women often retire with fewer savings and limited access to workplace pensions. Canada also recognizes that age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race indigeneity and other identity factors can intersect to deepen inequalities over the course of a woman's life. So to better support older women, Canada has strengthened income security through Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement, a non taxable monthly benefit for low income seniors aged 65 and over. We are also implementing the Canadian Pension Plan Enhancement which raises the income replacement rate and expands protected earnings.

This improves future retirement security for women who have faced lower lifetime wages. Canada also supports safer and more inclusive aging and through the New Horizons Seniors Program, this one's my favorite which provides funding for community projects that promote volunteerism, mentorship and social inclusion and awareness of elder abuse. This includes financial abuse. We are addressing the long term economic impacts of caregiving through Federal Employment Insurance

Caregiving Benefits this includes up to 15 weeks of benefits to take care for critically ill adults and up to 26 weeks for end of life care as well. These benefits help reduce the financial pressures many women face throughout their working lives. Canada's investment in the Canada Wide Early Learning and Childcare system is reducing child care fees and supporting women's workforce participation. This strengthens their lifetime earnings and improvements improves their retirement security as well. To address the gender pay gap at its roots, Canada implemented the Federal Pay Equity act in 2021 and it requires all federal federally regulated employers with 10 or more employees to proactively identify and correct gender wage age gaps.

Six provinces in Canada have also enacted formal pay equity laws with Ontario and Quebec covering both public and private sectors as well. Canada's experience shows that achieving inequality, inequality and empowerment of all women requires action across entire life course workforce and across every level of government and society. So as we continue to strengthen gender responsiveness and our age inclusive systems, Canada will work with all indigenous partners, civil society organizations, provinces and territories.

I thank the Minister of Women and Agenda Equality and Secretary of State of Canada. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Dorcas Ajik Odoa, Attorney General of Kenya.

Kenya is honored to participate in this 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. We remain committed to the global resolve to accelerate gender equality and the empowerment of all women and especially older women, as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Chairperson Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of older women is both urgent and strategic for Kenya.

Kenya's Constitution under Article 57 guarantees older persons dignity, respect, care and participation in community life. Building on this foundation, Kenya has enacted landmark legislations, the Social Protection Act 2025 and the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 that both advance economic justice, recognize unpaid care work and ensure income security for older women, including women with disabilities. Through the national treasury of Kenya, we continue to advance gender equality and the empowerment of older women by safeguarding their financial security through a structured pension scheme where over 60,000 dependents, primarily widows, benefit from lifetime provisions. Kenya's universal health coverage reforms, anchored in the Social Health Authority and Social Health Insurance Fund guarantee equitable access to health care for all, including older women. To further overcome inequality, the Women Enterprise Fund in Kenya has empowered to date 252 and 91 women aged 60 years and above, providing them with accessible and affordable credit to start or expand their businesses.

Chairperson Kenya's Inuajemi Kenya Cash Transfer program reaches over 704,000 older women directly enhancing dignity and security. These vulnerable individuals receive a modest but essential monthly stipend of 2000 that is USD 15. Contemplating this is the Economic Inclusion Program which complements this, which integrates financial support with skills training, savings, credit access and market linkages, enabling households to transition from dependency to sustainable livelihoods with women comprising 68% of beneficiaries. Chairperson From a legal perspective, Kenya is finalizing the Older Person's Bill. Once enacted, this law will safeguard older persons rights to health, dignity, participation and protection from abuse.

This law will further strengthen our commitment to older women's empowerment. As I conclude. Allow me to reiterate that Kenya fully supports the collective effort to advance the gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. We stand ready to work with Member States and all partners to ensure all the women everywhere live in dignity, enjoy equal opportunity and contribute fully to our shared future. I thank you for Listening,

I thank the Attorney General of Kenya.

I now give the floor to Her Excellency Yvette Alena, Minister of Labor, Gender and Social affairs of Mozambique.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Distinguished participants. Excellencies. Mozambique joins this reflection with a firm conviction that achieving gender equality requires recognizing and valuing the contribution of women throughout the entire life cycle, including in old age. Through their lives, many older women have faced structural inequalities in access to education, land, credit and economic opportunities.

Inequalities that often deepen in old age. Recognizing this reality, Mozambique has been strengthening its legal and institutional framework for the protection of older persons. In the area of social protection, the Basic Social Subsidy Program is a central instrument of support. Currently, more than 600,000 households benefit from this program, the majority of which are headed by older persons, with a significant proportion of being women, reflecting the state's commitment to addressing the feminization of poverty in old age. However, Excellencies, we must also acknowledge challenges that continue to affect the dignity and security of older women.

In this regard, allow me to highlight three key messages. First, protecting all the women means protecting women rights throughout their life cycle. Second, combating violence against older women requires addressing discriminatory social norms that still persists in many communities. Third, empowering older women means recognizing their role as pillars of family resilience, custodians of knowledge and promoters of social cohesion. In Mozambique, men, older women care for grandchildren, sustain households and keep community solidarity networks alive, particularly in context of climate and social crisis.

For this reason, Mozambique reforms its commitment to continue to strengthen gender responsive and gender sensitive social protection systems, prevent and combat all forms of violence against older women and ensure their active participation in community development. Because a truly just society is one that values women not only their youth, but also in the wisdom of age. Thank you very much.

I thank the Minister of Labor Gender Social affairs of Mozambique. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Damir Guti, Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography of Monte Montenegro.

Thank you very much, distinguished representatives of institutions, Dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, Gender equality is one of the fundamental human rights and a key prerequisite for sustainable social and economic development. It's not only a matter of justice and equality, but also a matter of development, social cohesion and democratic stability. A society that provides equal opportunities for women and men is a society for fully utilizes for the potential of all its citizens.

In Montenegro, significant steps have been taken in recent years toward improving gender equality. When we speak about gender equality, we must especially highlight older women. They are often invisible in public policies and social narratives. Although through their work, care and contribution to society, they have laid the foundation of today's development. Older women are frequently faced with multiple acts of discrimination based on gender, age, economic status and health conditions.

In many cases, older women receive lower pensions, have weaker access to health and social services and are often exposed to social isolations and violence. Therefore, empowering older women is not only a matter of social justice, but also a matter of respect for human dignity. Empowering women includes economic security, access to education and health care, as well as active participation in decision making processes. Older women poses enormous experience and knowledge that can be valuable resource for communities, local governments and the civil sector. It's necessary to create mechanisms that will enable their active participation in social life.

Advisory bodies, local initiatives and programs or of intergenerational solidarity institutions have a key role in this process. It's necessary to strengthen social protection policies, health programs, lifelong learning programs, as well as programs for the economic empowerment of women of all generations. At the same time, it is important to ensure that gender equality policies are consistently implemented with proper monitoring and evaluation in order to ensure that no woman is left behind. Gender equality is a shared responsibility. It requires cooperation amongst the state institutions, local governments, civil society, academia and the media.

It is necessary to continuously raise awareness, educate citizens and promote a culture of equality and respect. Finally, I would like to emphasize that empowering women is not a privilege, but a right. A society that empower women.

Of all, I thank the minister of social welfare, family care and development of montenenglo. I now give the floor to her excellency nina de sana, minister of gender equality of sweden.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to participate in this important discussion on behalf of Sweden, together with Mrs. Maria Larsson, Chair of the Swedish association for Senior Citizens and former Swedish Minister. This topic is at the very heart of Sweden's commitment to gender equality, the empowerment of women, including older women. Older women often remain invisible in our societies, yet they are the foundation upon which our communities rest. They deserve our commitment to ensuring they can live with dignity, agency and equal rights. Let me start with a harsh reality.

In Sweden, women over 65 receive only 74% of the pension income that men receive. This gap is not just a number. It's because women took time out of the workforce to care for children and elderly relatives. Women worked part time and earned lower wages through their working lives. The gender pension gap reflects systematic inequality in the labor market.

Sweden has taken important steps by raising the guaranteed pension and introducing income pension supplements. But much More must be done. Achieving gender equality means ensuring that older women have economic security and independence. This is fundamental to their dignity and autonomy. Older women must also have real decision making power.

Women should have equal representation across governance, business leadership and community decision making. We must address the barriers that discourage women from participating fully in public life. Sweden is committed to promoting women's power and influence across all sectors. And let me share two concrete examples. First, my government has commissioned research to analyze knowledge gaps regarding aging in working life, specifically focusing on ageism and older women's ability to remain in the workforce.

Second, recognizing that violence does not retire, we have a granted funding to address vulnerability to violence among older people, ensuring they can feel safe and secure in our society. Older women are not a problem to be solved. They are a vital resource, a source of wisdom, experience and leadership. When older women have economic security and a voice in decision making, our entire society is stronger, more just and more democratic. Thank you for your commitment to this vital work.

I thank the Minister of Gender Equality of Sweden. And I give the floor to Her Excellency Tanjia Maktula, Minister of Art Portfolio in charge of gender equality, prevention of violence against women, and economic and political empowerment of women of Serbia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Dear colleagues, across the world, societies are undergoing significant demographic changes. People are living longer, and the share of older persons in our population is steadily increasing. These trends invite us to rethink how our societies approach aging, dignity and equality across the life course. In Serbia, 43% of the population is older than 50.

Serbia is among the countries with the oldest population in the world, and every four women in Serbia is older than 65. In this context, older women represent an important part of our communities. They carry experience, knowledge and social continuity, and their contribution to families, communities and societies is invaluable. Yet despite this, older women often face multiple forms of inequality.

Today, pensioners in Serbia are economically more stable than before, although we remain aware that further improvements are needed. However, population aging should not be viewed only as a burden. Increasing attention is being given to the potential of the silver economy.

Older persons can continue to contribute to economic and social life, and it is important to create opportunities for their active participation in the labor market and community life. We must also address challenges that remain insufficiently visible. Older women are often exposed to different forms of violence that remain under reported. Research shows that 75% of older women who have experienced violence have never reported, reminding us of the need to break this chain of silence. Improving the position of older women therefore requires coordinated social, economic and health policies.

It is essential to ensure access to services and encourage reporting of violence so that every woman, regardless of age, knows that institutions exist to protect her. At the same time, in many societies, including Serbia, they are a pillar of intergenerational solidarity and stability. Building inclusive societies means ensuring that older women can live with dignity, security and full participation in social life. Continued international cooperation and the exchange of good practices remain essential in achieving this goal. Together, let us continue building societies that respect the dignity and contribution of older women.

Thank you.

I thank the Minister about portfolio in charge of gender equality, prevention of violence against women and economic and the political empowerment of women of Serbia. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Geneba Daria Sonogo, Minister of Advancement of Women and Children and Family of of Mari.

Madame Madam Chair, distinguished guests, it is a pleasure to address this August assembly and discuss the empowerment of older women. This in order to. In order to guarantee the effective empowerment of women and girls in Mali, the government has, under the aegis of its heads of state, taken significant measures, namely the adoption of a national gender policy and its attendant action plan.

We've also adopted a national policy for social protection. In this connection, the government has undertaken action aiming to simplify urban and rural women's access to credit and to support the socio economic reintegration of women who have been victims of sexual and gender based violence and that of older women. However, there is an imbalance in terms of these women's access to land and they only have a third of the land that women have.

We're looking to ensure the inclusion of women and as such the government has incorporated the empowerment of displaced persons and older persons women that is into their humanitarian response plan for 2026. Despite the progress made, challenges remain in insecurity of some areas, limits, market access and social burdens tend to fall on women. There's also restrictions in their access to water, financing and property. For 2026 our priority is to bolster synergies with traditional leaders and legal systems and with older persons. Mali remains convinced that the empowerment of women, particularly those affected by the conflicts and the empowerment of older women is the safest way to achieve peace and development.

I thank you for your kind attention. I thank Minister of Advancement of Women, Children and Family of Mari. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Gembe Holakoli, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Liberia.

Madam Chair Excellences distinguished colleagues Liberia welcomes this timely focus at CSW 70 on the empowerment of older women. In our culture, older women are considered custodian of our tradition and wisdom.

Yet despite their invaluable contributions, many remain economically invisible and socially vulnerable. In Liberia, older prisons, particularly women, are among the poorest and most full insecure. Having spent much of their lives in the informal economy, most lack access to formal pension schemes and enter late life without reliable income security. In response, Liberia is strengthening its social protection systems. We are developing a comprehensive national social protection policy to ensure more predictable, inclusive and sustainable support for vulnerable populations, including older women.

We are also finalizing an upgraded national social registry that will help identify specific interventions for these groups. On our legal protection side, the Land Rights act of 2018 has been transformative, securing women's right to own and inherit land and correcting discriminatory customary practices that have long disadvantaged older women. Efforts to ban trial by ordeal practices that frequently target older women have also been ongoing as part of broader justice reforms beyond formal Systems. More than 50 peace halls across Liberia serve as safe spaces where women, including elderly women, resolve conflict, mediate disputes and manage community based initiatives. Civil society organizations continue to provide critical psychosocial and livelihood support to older women, particularly in rural communities.

Madam Chair Liberia therefore calls for greater intergenerational partnership to ensure that women can live with dignity, protection and economic security at every stage of their lives. Thank you very much.

I thank the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Liberia. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Fatou Kente, Minister of Gender, Children and Social affairs of gambi.

Your Excellency, I commend you for your leadership and for convening this important session on the empowerment of older women. Undoubtedly, this serves as a platform to celebrate the contributions of female seniors in our countries and to reaffirm the endeavors to build a more caring and perfect society. The government therefore calls for connected efforts for inclusion of older women in gender equality conversations as they are often left behind. Through today's gathering, we are correcting this oversight and reiterating our commitment to fostering a gender accountable governance system and ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for older women across the whole spectrum of government. The Gambia has always accorded the highest priority to older women as this segment constitutes the backbone of our society.

We all know too well that older women have made and continue to make invaluable contributions to aspects of life. When I'm here, the reality in most of our communities is that older women continue to bear the burden of providing care and support to an increasing number of children in extended families facing their streets, financial strain and economic hardships. Most of the time we hear appalling stories of abuse and neglect of older women within their own families and communities. I hope that in this engaging discussion, emphasis will be put on issues relative to expanding Social Security systems, retirement benefits for older women's leadership in economic development and related gender policy gaps. This state of affairs is at variance with the promise of assuming assuring women empowerment, emancipation and autonomy and creating a fair eco society.

As governments, it is our solemn responsibility to ensure that older women have the resources necessary to achieve a secure and peaceful retirement. This calls for concerted efforts from all sectors of society incomprehensibly addressing the needs of older women. None of us can boost to be free while older women, our mothers, our elder sisters in our countries, continue to suffer or face to face. In closing, we must recognize that the world has achieved significant milestones towards improving the status of older women and integral support of our society. This is in keeping with the moral imperative of protecting female seniors and the achievement of gender equality and equality and women's empowerment.

This is completely this competently seeks to convey the collective request of our countries to play complementary roles in providing a continuum of care and protection for older women. Thank you very much.

I thank the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare of Gambi. I now give the floor to her Exile Excellency Luth Close, Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social affairs of Kiribati.

I now give the floor to Her Excellency Kajib Khadija Arma Kazum, Minister of Family and Human Rights Development of Somalia

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues in Somalia, when we need a wisdom, we go to our grandmother. When a family is in trouble, it is in an older woman who holds in together. When a community faces a crisis, it is an older woman who knows what to do. And yet when we gather in a room like this to discuss a woman and girls, we rarely talk about them. Today I would like to change that.

Older women carry a double burden. They face the challenges as a woman and are often overlooked because of age. We must address this lifelong barriers that leaves many older women without income, protection or a voice. In Somalia, many older women have worked their whole life without a formal pay, a home, in markets, in field. They raised families, they kept communities alive and when they grow old, many are left with very little old age.

Poverty is also a gender equality issue caused by unequal access to education, income and priority throughout women lives. Somalia is strengthening social protection system and our national gender policy and national disability policy aim to ensure that older women are included in Somalia culture. Families support each other across the generation. However, drought and displacement are putting pressure of family and many older women are caring for entire householder while they are owned health suffer. Somalia is working to strength community based carry so older so older women can receive the support they need.

We must also address elder abuse. Older women can face neglect, financial exploration for of violence and they are often of leagues like to report it. Somali has established 24 hours National Hotline Women and children and with the creating of national independent Human rights commission in December 2025, we are strengthening protecting of all Somalia include old women in older women. We are not continue to do the count. Many national survivors stopped collection data of women after age 49.

Somalia is working to improve how we collect information broken down by age so that older women are visible in our national plan and our progress toward 2030 agenda. Excellency Somali stands by its commitment to Beijing platform and action and Madrid International Plan of Action. Older women are not just a people.

I thank the Minister of Family, Human Rights and Development of Somalia. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Fan Fatou Fituafe, Minister of Internal affairs of Tunga.

Madam Chair, your Excellencies. While Tongan women outlive men 74 years versus 68 years, they face greater vulnerabilities through economic exclusion, caregiving burdens, disaster risk and making gender responsive and age inclusive. Social Protection Essential Caring for the elderly has always been a cultural priority.

Recognizing the growing need to support families, the government launched the following program in 2012, the National Social Welfare Scheme that provides monthly stipends to over 5,000 elderly recipients. The majority were women and the eligibility age was recently lowered from 70 to 66 in 2025 into 2015. The Tonga Social Service Program delivers home care to hundreds of older persons who are most in need. In 2020, the National Strategic Plan for Long Term Care ensure proper support and care for for Tonga's elderly. In 2024, the Adaptive Social Protection Strategy was approved and had included the National Social Registry including digital payments.

And in 2025, the revised National Disability Inclusiveness Policy was launched. Currently, the Anticipatory Action Framework is currently being finalized. The current Integrated Aged Care Project prioritizes dignified gender sensitive care services including the provision of a caregiver allowances for family caregivers providing full time care for elderly requiring high levels of care. This activity works to reduce and repellent the distribution of unpaid care and domestic work by providing financial and psychological support, aiming to also address the norms surrounding care work and often places all responsibilities on women without adequate support or recognition. Despite this progress, significant gaps remained suggest Insufficient stipend amounts relative to the cost of living.

Inadequate disaster. Specific support for elderly women. Limited data through the national social registry and underfunding for specialized care services. Tonga calls on the international community to support us. To firstly, operationalize the national social registry to improve targeting of older women in need.

Secondly, invest in national anticipatory action programs to protect older women before, during and after the emergency.

We thank the Minister of Internal affairs of Tonga. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Peace Regis Motuzu, Minister of State for Gender and Culture of Uganda.

Thank you, Chairperson. Uganda is privileged to be in this conference. Uganda has a total population of 50 million people. Out of the 50 million people, 78% of the total population is under 35. So we are alive to the fact that the young people are more than the elderly people.

With that, the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995. Provided Social Protection measures for elderly persons. They are free. Participate in every activity. We have a representation in parliament for elderly people, five of them.

We have a Ministry of State responsible for elderly persons. We have a social protection grant for elderly people which comes monthly. And we have a grant for all older persons who can conceit themselves into a group for support and care services. We have reduced taxes on our diapers. And we also traditionally support elderly people.

But even with that, elderly women suffer more than men. Although they even live longer than the male counterparts. They are discriminated in health expenses. They are quite high. They are denied income flows from the children who take over the estates.

They are also supportive families. Give them too much responsibility to take care of grandchildren. There is violence from care service providers when they are growing older. And also discrimination because of age in many of the participation they would make as Government of Uganda. We are now reducing taxes on the diapers like we already stated.

Access to public space. We provide access to public spaces for the elderly people. We provide free legal services. And we are undertaking a study for dermatologists and the nurses to support the elderly people. We are now putting up some homes for caregiving services.

We are giving them a grant of 10% for all elder persons on PDM. And we are reducing on the care devices, reducing taxes on the care devices. And extension of retirement for people who are specialized, who have specialized services, like the judges, like public servants. At 60, many people are supposed to pay. Older people are supposed to retire at 60.

But people with specialized services, we give them provision to continue even on contract. I thank you for this opportunity. And as we continue to support the elderly people. Thank you.

I thank the Minister of State of Gender and Culture of Uganda.

I now give the floor to Her Excellency Zulma Gordero, Secretary of Social Work of Guatemala.

Muchas gracias, senora. Thank you, Madam Chair. The inclusion of older women is a fundamental pillar for the development of more fairer societies. According to the 2018 census, older persons constitute 8.1% of the Guatemalan population. Our state does guarantee their right to Social Security to ensure a decent life.

However, the reality is that we must probe this in greater depth. We must recognize that older women face specific forms of discrimination and violence that undermine their rights. They are a group of the population that has been rendered invisible, trapped in prejudices that put them into boxes and pigeonhole them as dependents and those on the margins of economic life. This vulnerability is exacerbated by things such as disability, living in rural areas or belonging to a specific ethnic group. And these factors limit their access to comprehensive health care services and social benefits and social services that can meet their specific needs.

The Government of Guatemala has relevant programs designed to benefit them. These include the economic contribution of the Older Adult Program. At the end of 2025, this program benefited 282,000 people. We also have our National Committee for the Protection of Old Age that was created under the law protecting third age citizens. We have My Golden Years that is a program under the umbrella of the Social Works Department.

And that program focuses on comprehensive health care for older persons living in poverty and extreme poverty in rural areas. This program means that we can adapt our comprehensive care system to meet their needs. This program is long standing and was restored by our current administration and rolled out across 18 departments. We have a Social Security system and under that umbrella we have the Disability, Old Age and Survival Program. But it's not universal in scope.

It excludes those that are a part of the informal economy. And in the informal economy, the women constitute the majority of workers. We are cognizant of the fact that the majority of these benefits are aimed at the older population. In general, national coverage remains a challenge and one that we must rise to if we want to meet the needs of those on the margins and left behind. So we need to adopt policies which heed the differentiated needs and the specific needs of older women development.

The microphone is being cut off. I thank the Secretary of Social Work of Guatemala. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Hernand Hastw, Secretary for Culture and Equality of Norway.

Chair, Excellencies, Colleagues Women's participation in the labour market is one of the strongest foundation for secure and dignified older age. When women work, earn their own income and build pension rights, they stand stronger throughout their life course.

Yet even in a gender equal country like Norway, women still face structural barriers. Lower pay, more part time work, greater responsibility for unpaid care and as a result, lower pensions. These inequalities accumulate and become more visible in older age. Ensuring women's full and equal participation in working life is therefore as central to our policies. A key success factor is our long tradition for a tripartite cooperation between government, employers and trade unions.

This model helps create safe, inclusive and predictable workplaces. It is essential for reducing the gender, pay and pension gap, strengthening the right to full time work and preventing age discrimination. High sickness absence is a concern in Norway and affects women disproportionately. Supporting women to stay in work longer is crucial for economic security in older age. In 2024, Norway launched a Women's Health strategy.

It recognizes that women's health extends far beyond reproductive health. It includes menopause, mental health, headache and muscle and joint conditions. Issues that affect women more often than men and influence their ability to participate in the labour market. With this strategy, we will strengthen knowledge in health services, improve gender disaggregated data and drive research with gender perspective. And we will integrate women's health into policies for the elderly and for next of kin carers who often also are women.

The government has also appointed a Commission on Women's Occupational Health. The commission submitted their report last April and Strengthening knowledge is essential for targeted measures and for ensuring that policy support women throughout their working lives. Chair Norway remains committed to policies that promote economic independence, good health and full participation for women throughout their life, including in older age. Thank you very much.

I thank the State Secretary of Culture and Equality of Norway. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Yilling, Vice Minister of the and the Deputy of Deputy Head of National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council of China.

Madam Chair Ensuring the equal rights of older women is essential for achieving equality between men, women and human rights across all life stages. The average life expectancy of Chinese Women has reached 80.9 years, which testifies to the integrated progress in our rule of law, healthcare, Social Security, care services and cultural spheres. On the legal front, the Civil Code, the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Older Persons and the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests provide multiple layers of safeguards, explicitly enshrining all the women's rights relating to property, inheritance, marriage and care and support and strictly prohibiting double discrimination based on age and gender. Judicial services are fully adapted to the needs of older persons. For those facing difficulties defending their rights.

Prosecution authorities support their recourse to litigation with legal aid in case of limited mobility. Judges move court hearings into their homes starting in 2026. Newly effective legislations mandate the establishment of committees on older persons, women and children's affairs as statutory standing institutions in both urban rural communities to address their urgent needs and concerns. On the Social Security front, basic old age Insurance covers over 1.076 billion people and long term care insurance covers nearly 300 million. With a focus on supporting older women of advanced age with disabilities or living alone, China is vigorously developing in home and community based old age care and 15 minute communities equipped with a full range of services such as old age care, healthcare, cultural and sports facilities, domestic services, community canteens and daycare centers.

Institutions providing old age services such as daycare, rehabilitation, nursing, meal assistance and mobility support are rewarded with tax breaks and other policy support. On the social life front, conditions are in place for older women to continue their education and activities living China is committed to building an accessible and ubiquitous lifelong education system with senior universities and community activity centers across urban rural areas offering spaces for them to fill the gaps left open in their younger years with courses on dance, music, calligraphy, painting and health and wellness to name but a few. Older women are closely attuned to the digital and AI era, savvy about online shopping, live streaming, video production and online scam prevention, and are putting AI tools such as Deep SEQ and Doe Ball to good use their daily life. Older women also play important roles in grassroots government's governance across the country, serving as communicators of public opinion, mediators for the community and volunteers on the front line, all with a sparkling vigor and spirit called for by our times. This is our statement from China.

Thank you. I thank the Vice Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee and Children and Women of the State Council of China. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Maria Gujarobaro, Secretary of State for Equality and for the Education of Violence Against Women of Spain.

Gracias President thank you Chair Excellencies, when we talk about older women, we talk about generations that sustained and sudain our societies and they do so from a perspective of structural inequality. Women access former employer later and they have interrupted careers and they were historically the women that took on care work and paid fewer years into the Social Security system.

So that's important to bear in mind. And we should bear in mind that until 50 years ago, they couldn't have drive or have a bank account without the permission of their husbands. Now we now have a feminist human rights agenda that focuses on their empowerment. But we can't simply talk about economic empowerment there. However, without economic empowerment, there can be no real empowerment.

We need social protection systems which recognize the interrupted careers of women that value time devoted to care work in careers that guarantee decent pensions. And that's what we're doing in Spain. We're furthering those goals. Respecting women involves recognizing their historic contributions, protecting their rights and guaranteeing that no woman reaches old age finding her autonomy stymied as a result of inequalities that never should exist have existed. We should guarantee effective rights, decent income, the access to quality health services, including mental health care services.

We should guarantee protection against violence and full participation in social and political life. We should tackle ageism that many older women suffer. That should be one of our major goals. All too often these women are treated as if they were invisible, as if their experience was not relevant or if they no longer had anything to bring to our democracies. However, older women are not solely people that need to be protected.

They are right holders. They can make decisions and they are figures of leadership. They are memory, experience and they are our presence. Democracy is one weakened when their voices are marginalized from decision and discussion, making spaces and spaces of power. Spain is working to systematically incorporate older women's perspective in equality policies as well as in policies tackling gender based violence, social services, care and care strategies, and we're looking to narrow the digital divide.

I wish to underscore the importance of listening to older women themselves. The best public policy responses arrive when they participate in the design, implementation and assessment of policies that affect them. Their experience is a political and ethical heritage which is of huge value and we cannot waste it in developing fairer societies. Thank you.

I thank the Secretary of State for Equality and for Education of violence against women Spain.

I now give the floor to Her Excellency Guoi Pin Ming, Minister of State for Social and Family Development of Singapore.

Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. Singapore remains committed to advancing women's progress at every life stage. The life expectancy of a woman in Singapore is among the highest in the world at 85.6 years. I would like to share three aspects of our support for older women in living fulfilling lives. First, to support employability.

We have been increasing the statutory retirement and re employment ages over the years, enabling our seniors to work longer if they wish to. We incentivise employers to hire seniors including older women. Through the Senior Employment Credit Scheme and a part time re employment grant. We have been raising contribution rates to our Central Provident Fund which is our national Social Security scheme for social senior workers so that those who work can benefit from higher monthly payouts in retirement. The Silver Support Scheme provides additional cash support to older Singaporeans with low lifetime wages.

Second, to support our seniors health needs, including older women, Singapore Initiatives places a strong emphasis on preventive care to ensure that affordable and accessible healthcare for older women subsidised screening tests such as for cardiovascular risk, breast and cervical cancers are provided. The National Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy enhances mental health support across the population, including older women. Community outreach teams raise awareness on mental wellness and dementia, provide basic psychosocial support and facilitate service linkages when required. Seniors and their caregivers facing mental distress can Access the National Mindline 1771, Singapore's National Mental Health helpline for round the clock support. To enable seniors to thrive and age in the community, Singapore has the Age well Initiative that encourages proactive care and pre empts social isolation and decline.

With an extensive network of over 230 active ageing centres where women are more than represented in seniors have a diverse suite of active ageing programs and preventive health services. Finally, to ensure that seniors, including older women are part of our digital society, our government started the Seniors Go Digital programme in 2020 to equip individuals with digital skills for daily living including setting up and using smart devices and transacting online. To date more than 440,000 seniors have benefited. Singapore stands committed to empowering older women as they age with continued growth, contribution and purpose. Thank you.

I thank Minister of State for Social and Family Development of Singapore. I now give the floor through His Excellency Magoment Abdul Karim, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Russia Federation.

Colleagues Good Good morning. The Russian Federation has working to consolidate efforts of various bodies of the state authority and civil society to support equal rights and freedoms for women alongside men. An important element of this is our national strategy for women. I'd like to note that the number of older persons in Russia is growing. Currently 24.5% of our population are over 60.

The majority of them are women. Last year we approved our strategy for older persons and this is for a period of 2030. Social services for older persons are provided by more than 5,000 state organisations for so called social services by dint of age, health issues or disability or material other problems. Older persons require particular protection from executive authorities as well as human rights Bodies and public organizations. In December last year, we approved our plan to implement the Strategy for Older Persons.

The document includes a package of measures focused at strengthening the value of multi generational families, protecting the health of older persons, expanding, increasing their participation in public life and also developing infrastructure to ensure that they can have a comfortable and safe life. As part of our outreach work in the Russian regions using we've been using a social services project called Safety School and this has participation from law enforcement, health care structures, banks, tax services and also representatives of public organizations for veterans. This project allows older persons to be able to take a responsible approach to their safety and the safety of others, increase their alertness in situations where there could be a threat to their life or health. Moreover, in all regions of Russia, we have regional programs underway too, called Active Older Years. The aim is to increase the quality of life for older persons through providing them with more opportunities for fulfilment as well as improving their physical health and strengthening social ties.

Last year, the active older years program 15 million people participated in this program. Colleagues, in conclusion, I'd like to state that Russia continues to improve its state policy to further improve these lives of women of older age. An older age and we are happy to share our experience beyond our borders. Thank you very much.

Indeed, I thank the Minister, the Vice Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Russia Federation I now give the floor to Her Excellency Facinda Lingo Sarva, Vice President of Lao Women's Union of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Lao PDR attaches great importance to promoting women's rights and ensuring equitable access to justice for women of all generations. Over the past five years, La PIRA has undertaken significant legal reforms. More than 50 laws have been adopted or revised to better safeguard the rights and interests of women. In particular, the Law on Development and Protection of women adopted in 2025, strengthens protection for women in vulnerable situations, including women living in poverty, women with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.

In addition, the Law on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Children and the Law on Anti Human Trafficking are currently being revised to further strengthen protection and accountability mechanisms. Alongside legal reforms, LA PDR continues to expand access to justice services. Legal aid offices and village mediation units operate nationwide. A digital legal aid platform has been introduced to improve access to legal information and services. These efforts are particularly important for older women who may face barriers in accessing justice due to limited legal literacy and information.

Strengthening community level legal assistance and awareness therefore remains essential to ensure that women of all ages can effectively exercise their rights to better support survivors of violence. La PDR has established multi sectoral coordination mechanisms, including shelters in several provinces and a national hotline to assist women and children facing violence. Standard operating procedures across health, justice, police and social sectors ensure a more coordinated and survivor centered response. Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Implementation gaps, limited legal literacy and persistent harmful social norms still hinder women's full access to justice, particularly for those in rural and remote communities.

Older women may also face greater risk of neglect, abuse or economic exploitation. Addressing these challenges requires continued efforts to strengthen prevention, protection and community awareness. Madame Chair the Government of La Pia remains firmly committed to improving access to justice and enhancing cooperation with development partners and all stakeholders to ensure inclusive, equitable and effective justice.

I thank the Vice President of the Law Women's Union and I now give the floor to Her Excellency Duth Cross Country Kwang Singh, Minister for Women, Youth Support, Sport and Social affairs of Kiribati

Warm Pacific greetings, excellencies and esteemed delegates In Kiribati, women make up 60% of the population age 60 and older. Globally, older women will number 1.13 billion by 2050, but the policies, data systems, and resources dedicated to their well being remain profoundly inadequate. Older women in the Pacific are revered as knowledge holders and community connectors, yet are the most economically and institutionally marginalized. Women perform an estimated four times more unpaid care work than men and arrive at old age having given everything but receiving almost nothing from formal Systems. Globally, only 49% of older women receive a contributory pension, compared with 63% of men.

Non contributory pensions are essential precisely because they do not replicate the gender inequalities of the formal labor market. Kiribati introduced such a scheme in 2004, one of the first specific nations to do so. Dementia affects more women than men, and musculoskeletal conditions are the leading causes of disability. Women live longer but still spend most of those years in poor health. Pacific islands have some of the highest NCD prevalence rates in the world, but health systems are not designed with older women's needs in mind.

Elder abuse is the least reported form of gender based violence in our region. The near absence of Pacific data is a problem. This sits within a broader context. Oceania records intimate partner violence three times the global average. Violence is a continuum across women's lives.

Older women not exempt Disability and remoteness further compound the issue. In the Pacific, an estimated 78% of gender data is missing. When we add age desegregation, the gaps are glaring. We cannot design policy for lives that we have not measured. CEDAW recommendation 27 is clear.

Gender equality must apply throughout the woman's life cycle. The question is implementation. We call on Member States and partners to address economic security across the full life gender pay gaps and strengthen both pensions so that no woman arrives at old age with nothing. Invest in wraparound services, community care, home support and health that complement and ensure that income support translates into real dignity. Invest in age and data to protect women from elder abuse and financial exploitation and ensure they have the respect that they deserve.

In Kitabas we say that an elder is a living library. The women who built our communities, raised our children and carried our cultures through climate disasters deserve more than cultural reverence. They deserve policy that sees them, data that counts them, and systems that hold.

I thank the Minister for Women, Youth, Sport and Social affairs of Kiribati. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Mariana Besta, Deputy Foreigner Minister of Ukraine.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Promoting gender equality and empowering of all older women is a top priority for Ukraine.

But in Ukraine, this issue is closely linked with Russian aggression which has been waged for the past 13 years. The full scale invasion by Russia has forced many women from their homes, caused loss of loved ones, increased caregiving responsibilities and led to job and income loss. Russia's aggression has triggered one of the largest displacement crises in Europe in recent decades. According to data, more than 5 million people are displaced and more than 4.6 million people are currently internally displaced in Ukraine, including 2.7 women.

Women therefore constitute 58% of the internally displaced people in Ukraine and around 60% of the adult displaced population. Highlighting the gendered impact of displacement, millions more Ukrainians have been forced to seek refuge abroad. Women make up a large share of displaced people and refugees, including many older women, widows, pensioners and grandmothers caring for their grandchildren who have lost their homes, livelihoods and access to essential services.

Those who fled abroad must rebuild their lives, adapting to new environments, overcoming languages barriers and seeking employment despite aging social challenges. Meanwhile, women who remain in Ukraine face social economic hardships, ecological social from prolonged war and insecurity and increased risk of gender based violence and conflict related violence because the war continues and the crimes that Russia keeps on committing in the temporary occupied territories of Ukraine are truly horrendous. Access to justice, the priority theme of this year's CSW must also address the needs of older women.

Ukraine, despite all these challenges, continue to prioritize the issue of gender equality. Just recently, in February 26, the Government of Ukraine approved the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and security until 2030, promoting women's leadership and a human centered recovery focused on rights, dignity and trust in institutions. Despite the war, elderly women also are not only recipients of assistance, but also vital supporters of their communities as volunteers, caregivers and leaders. Yet their contributions around the globe also are very often overlooked. We definitely need to involve older women in the recovery efforts in Ukraine.

Ukraine encourages all international partners to systematically integrate the needs and contributions of older women into humanitarian response, recovery processes and financing frameworks. Strengthening their protection, access to justice and economic security, while addressing, of course, both ageism and sexism is essential. Ensuring that older women remain visible, protected and empowered will help make recovery not only in Ukraine, of course, but around the globe more inclusive and sustainable for all.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the Deputy Foreigner Minister of Ukraine and now give the floor to Her Excellency Mukarama Namutsatoa, Vice Chairperson of State Committee for Family and Women of Pakistan.

Chair Delegates Gender equality and Providing support to women of all ages is a priority for Uzbekistan's state policy. We pay particular attention to supporting older women in Uzbek society. They play an important role in strengthening the family, transmitting cultural and spiritual values and raising the younger generation. Their active participation in social life is also key for sustainable development of society as a whole. Uzbekistan is consistently strengthening its legal and institutional foundations for social protection for older persons.

Our new constitution guarantees each and every person with social support in their older age. To expand the rights and opportunities for older women, Uzbekistan is doing the following. Firstly, we're providing a dignified pension and social services for older women. We're also broadening their access to preventative and medical services. We're also implementing special education programs for older women and creating necessary conditions for women to participate in public life through and as well as in projects and in volunteer initiatives.

The state pension system provides older women with a pension from 55 years of age as long as they have worked long enough. For those who haven't worked long enough, then a age based benefit is provided which covers basic social guarantees. In 2023, under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, we carried out a comprehensive institutional reform of the social protection system. This included the creation of a national agency for social protection and a network of social services centres which provide comprehensive assistance to the most vulnerable categories of the population, including older women, and they take an individual approach to this. Also, we provide the conditions for active and dignified aging and strengthening health and social independence of old women, including that they can make sure that they can fully participate in the life of society.

Colleagues Okis Ben is planning on sees support for older women as an important part of our policy on gender equality and social justice. We are convinced that a society that respects and supports the older generations will create a sustainable and humane future. Uzbekistan is ready to continue actively supporting the international community.

The speaker's microphone has been cut off. The Vice Chairperson of State Committee for Family and Women of Pakistan I now give the floor to Her Excellency Jamtaluya, Deputy Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children affairs of Azerbaijan.

Thank you very much, distinguished participants. First of all, I'd like to extend my greetings to all of you and wish success to the work of the session. Achieving gender equality is not only fundamental to human rights issues but also key driver of the Sustainable Development Goals and social protection and the empowerment of women is one of the main strategic policies of the Azerbaijan government. In the country, a series of measures have been undertaken to protect the rights of the woman. The efforts to combat domestic violence have been strengthened both at the legislative and institutional level.

According to the new amendments to the Law on the Prevention of the Domestic Violence, the scope of the persons covered by the law has been expanded. The circle of the individuals that to whom the law applies now includes close relatives of both supposes. The procedures of issuing short term protection orders have also been revised. The duration of its duration has been extended from 30 days up to 60 days. Furthermore, the practice of encouraging reconciliation between the survivor and the perpetrator has been disconsolated.

Repeated violation of the requirements of the legislation on the prevention of domestic violence will now constitute a new administrative offense. Dear colleagues, it is essential to strengthen awareness raising efforts and to instill the younger generation the family values, mutual respect, protection of older people and healthy relationship. At the same time, strengthen women's economic independence and expanding their access to education and employment opportunities make a significant contribution to reducing the risk for them. Dear colleagues, let us remember that ensuring the safety, empowerment and safeguarding the dignity of women and girls are among the fundamental conditions for building a strong and healthy society. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the Deputy Chairperson of that Committee for Family, Women and Children affairs of Azerbaijan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Philippines.

Madam Chair. Colleagues from the people of the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippines aging population has a woman's face. Filipino women live longer than men by around six years. Yet they age within structures of economic inequality, unpaid care burdens, gender based discrimination and age related disadvantage.

Because of these, older women stand at the Intersection of economic insecurity, health vulnerability and invisible labor. Our main challenges are as follows. Around 20% of women aged 60 and above have no independent income. 35% rely on financial support from their children. Around 40% receive no pension.

Nearly 70% experience hypertension and chronic illnesses. And some senior citizens are exposed to verbal abuse and financial exploitation even from their relatives. How does our government respond to the protection and rights of older citizens are guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution. And there are laws granting social protection and extra privileges to senior citizens like 20% discount in medicines, services, travels and other commodities. There are government agencies dedicated to serve senior citizens across the country.

And senior citizens have additional guaranteed seat in the legislature under our party list system. Our Magna Carta of women guarantees protection and access to services for older women. The expanded Senior Citizens act provides social pensions and mandatory benefits for indigent seniors. And the social pension is given to the most vulnerable. But social protection must move from survival to security.

We work to achieve pension adequacy and recognize unpaid care work within social protection frameworks. We still need to institutionalize tailored economic options and strengthen the enforcement of intersectional anti discrimination laws. Second, we challenge the care paradox. Grandmothers raise children especially for parents working overseas. Yet 70% of them experience hypertension and unmet health needs.

Thus, our Universal Health Care act ensures automatic health insurance coverage for all senior citizens. The home care support services for senior citizens is being strengthened to favor family and community based long term care. Medicines for hypertension are distributed free of charge across the villages. The Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens prioritizes all active aging, geriatric care expansion and age friendly communities. Third, our Senior Citizens Commission and local.

I thank the distinguished representative of Philippines. I now give the floor to the distinguished representatives of El Salvador.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Allow me to commend the fact that we have this forum devoted to older women. During the negotiation of the CSW's Multi Year Program of work last year, my delegation advocated for us to pay greater attention to older adult women that work involved, including this roundtable for the first time. A high level roundtable. That was our proposal and we're delighted it's a reality today.

We believe that gender equality cannot be fully achieved if we we do not tackle the vulnerabilities accumulated throughout the life cycle. Empowering older adult women is not only an act of justice, rather it is a strategy to strengthen our social fabric and to break the intergenerational cycle of inequality for our state. Substantive equality rather in older age is a measurable target. Based on that premise we have transformed our body of legislation to correct the historic marginalization of women and that is reflected in our indicators. Between 20 and 2022, we reduced our gender inequality index from 0.342 to 0.319.

Our vision has been bolstered by the modernization of our institutional architecture. We have a technical platform which is managed through our benefits administration and we've created a special unit for the for older persons within our Supreme Court of Justice. This institutional framework means that older adults now have special spaces devoted to them within our judicial system, which means that their rights can be specially protected. We recognise that poverty in older age has a female face owing to historical care gaps. We're reversing that inequality through the platform Merca Mujer.

That is a platform which allows women to trade free of violence. This strategy is linked up with work on small and micro enterprises and that allows older adult women to generate their own revenue. And that means that they cease to be dependents and become full economic actors. We have comprehensive care days that are initiatives that have benefited more than 9,500 people. Particular emphasis is placed on indigenous and Afro descendant women.

We have our special law for older adult persons and that guarantees access to housing and that's linked to empowerment. We have a universal basic pension guaranteed for those living in extreme poverty and that allows a threshold of dignity to be guaranteed for those that devoted their lives to unpaid care work. To conclude, we wish to indicate that the Inter American Convention on the Protection of the Human Rights of Older Persons is pioneering because it explicitly tackles access to justice for older adults and tackles the need to eliminate the barriers that they face. As such, we argue that the open ended Working Group on Aging should continue to move. The microphone is being cut off.

I thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel.

Dear colleague, we are gathered here today to shine a spotlight on a crucial pointing point that often remains invisible in decision making process. The intersection of gender and aging. For many women around the world, including in Israel, aging is not just a biological process. It is the build up of structural inequality built up over a lifetime. Data from Israel indicates that the gender salary gap doesn't disappear with retirement.

It only changes its face and becomes a deep pension gap. Women live longer, but they experience more years of poor health and loneliness. Forced to rely on more limited sources, the Ministry of Social Equity and Advancement of Women in Israel has raised the retirement age of women from 62 to 65 as a step towards reducing the economic gap. This way, women will remain in the labor market longer and gain more pension. In addition, employment programs for people over the age of 60 helps participants integrate into the labor market.

50% of the participants are women and 60% are aged 67 and above. The Ministry leads a policy that believes in changing from a policy of welfare to a policy of empowerment throughout the life cycle. We are working to reduce the digital gap to promote incentive for employers to keep women over the age of 60 in the labor market and we are incentive investing in building communities at the Authority for the Advancement of Women. We believe that another crucial factor is narrowing gender gaps in old age is investing in awareness and providing tools and knowledge for young age. Therefore, we invest in developing programs for young female leadership as well as the knowledge and learning in areas such as family, economics, business skills, personal resilience, work, life balance, and more.

I call on the international community to collect data regarding age and gender. What is not counted, is not managed and does not receive fundings. The time has come to ensure gender equality does not stop at retirement age, but escorts women at every stage of their life. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Israel.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Netherlands.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As a delegation member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands representing Saint Martin, I am honored to deliver these remarks on behalf of the Minister of Public Health, Social development and labor, Mr. Richnell Brugh we acknowledge an important moment for women not only on St. Martin, but across the world. On March 8, we recognize international Women's Day, a day that celebrates the achievements, strength, resilience and contributions of women in every sector of society. We are aware that older women often face unique challenges that affects their economic security, health and social well being.

Many spend decades contributing to their families, workplaces and communities, often through both underpaid and unpaid labor, while too many still encounter barriers such as limited access to financial resources, inadequate social protection or age related discrimination. Addressing these issues realities with clear policies and programs is essential if you are to achieve true gender equality anytime soon. There is no doubt older women represent an extraordinary source of knowledge, resilience and leadership. I am a testament to this narrative. Our experiences, cultural wisdom and lifelong contributions play a critical role in strengthening families, mentoring young generations and sustaining communities.

Empowering older women therefore benefits not only individuals but society as a whole. For St. Martin, these discussions are particularly relevant. Recently, the Ministry hosted a Senior Connect event which brought together various organizations and service providers to inform seniors about the resources, programs and support systems available to them so they can live comfortably and with dignity. What stood out during this event was that a majority of participants were women. Events such as Senior Connect plays an important role in ensuring that older women have access to information services and support networks that help them remain active members of our communities.

When we create spaces that connect seniors with the resources they need, we strengthen their ability to continue contributing their wisdom, experience and guidance to future generations. Achieving gender equality requires that we look beyond a single stage of life and adopt a lifelong course approach, one that recognizes the needs, rights and potential of women from youth to older age. By doing so, we ensure that progress made for women today continues to benefit them throughout their lives. As we reflect on International Women's Day 2026 and participate in this important dialogue, we reaffirm our shared commitment to policies and partnership.

I thank Her Excellency Glacier Minister Minister for Sin Maternal of the Kingdom of Netherlands.

I now give the floor to Her Excellency Emil Hingin, Minister of State Attending Cabinet with responsibility for Disability in Ireland.

Thank you very much, Chairman. It's an honour to be here today to speak about this really important topic. For too long, older women have been overlooked in discussions of gender equality. We cannot ignore the distinct challenges and issues that they face. Gender equality is promoted and advanced in Ireland under a new whole of government.

National Strategy for Women and Girls. A life course approach has been adopted to recognise the distinct challenges faced by women and girls as they transition through different stages of life. The full, equal and meaningful participation of women in society is fundamental to gender equality. For those in middle and later career stages, this means ensuring that leadership opportunities remain open to women and that their skills and their contributions are reflected in key decision making.

Another cornerstone of our national strategy is ensuring that women are empowered both economically and financially. For older women, this means taking steps to address the gender pension gap which currently sits at 35% in Ireland. Action is being taken to future proof this with an auto enrolment pension scheme that is currently being rolled out. But work is still needed to support and to advance older women who are now facing the full impact of the pension gap, not just preventing it. For future generations.

Health and well being are foundational for a happy and a meaningful life. And in later years it becomes even more important that with the onset of additional health needs that this happens. Ireland seeks to support women, to nurture and to protect their health and their

well being at all stages of their lives. And we have a suite of policies to support independent living. Ireland acknowledges that the burden of care and domestic work responsibilities disproportionately impact women and girls and we promote A more equal sharing of responsibilities. Often those who are involved in caregiving have care needs of their own and consequently our strategy seeks to support women both as providers and as recipients of care. Ireland seeks to recognise and to mitigate the gender dimension to the care challenges faced by older women.

This includes addressing the health needs of older women whilst also recognising the heightened vulnerability they experience. It is vital to recognise that gender based violence can occur at any stage in life and through a zero tolerance approach. Ireland seeks to eliminate gender based violence, however and whenever it occurs. Though considerable progress has been made, much work remains to be done to support older women in fully realising their rights, regardless of their gender.

I thank the Minister of State attending Cabinet with Respectability for Disability of Ireland and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Hungary.

Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. The safety, dignity and the respect of older persons are a shared priority in Hungary. For government, it's of crucial importance to support the elderly primarily through family policies, recognizing that older generations, especially women, as mothers, workers, caregivers and community members, build the foundation of a younger generation through a lifetime of work. Demographic ageing presents significant challenges. By 2060, the proportion of people over 65 in Hungary is projected to exceed 32%.

Addressing this requires sustainable policies that recognize the lifelong contribution of women and the specific challenges older women may face, including including cumulative disadvantages resulting from the care responsibilities interrupted careers. We are mindful that women live longer on average and are more likely to assume caring roles throughout their lives. Healthy and active aging is central to our approach. Hunger's National Public Health program prioritizes prevention, health literacy, physical activity, nutrition, well, mental well being through a nationwide network of health promotion offices. Particular attention is given to older women strengthening independence of quality of life.

The CareWatch program is a nationwide welfare initiative supporting citizens over 65 years who live in their own homes. It provides free signaling devices to enhance safety and ensure rapid response at Any time available 24 hours a day in all municipalities. The program has contributed to more than 80,000 lives, saved 800,000 instances of assistance serving 1 million users to date, many of them older women living alone. Hungary also promotes active aging through community based initiatives and recognizes municipalities that go beyond their responsibilities in supporting older persons. We believe that empowering older women to remain active, healthy and socially engaged benefits families, communities and society as a whole.

Hungary firmly believes that aging should be viewed not only a challenge, but also as an opportunity. An opportunity to strengthen solidarity between generations and to value the experience, resilience and wisdom of women. By recognizing and supporting women throughout the life course, we invest in stronger families, cohesive communities and a sustainable future. Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Hungary.

Now I give the floor to Her Excellency Gloria Leah, Minister of Women of Dominican Republic.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, distinguished ministers, delegates and representatives. Gender equality throughout the life cycle means that we should closely look at ushering in a demographic transformation, or rather contemplate the one our societies is seeing and that is the aging of our populations. Women constitute the majority of older people as a result, result of our longer life expectancy. However, many reach old age after lives marked by accumulated inequalities, restricted access to their own income, greater presence in the informal labour market and decades of unremunerated care work. Guaranteeing a dignified older age for women consequently requires public policies which strengthen social protection, access to services and economic empowerment throughout the female life cycle.

In the Dominican Republic, this challenge is at the heart of our institutional agenda in terms of social protection and care. The country has also been extending mechanisms to bolster the economic security of women in their old age. Between 2020 and 2025, our government granted 70,000 social pensions. 90% of the recipients of these were given to all people and 53% of the beneficiaries were women. This reflects the fact our public policy is driven by a desire for equality.

At the same time, we're forging ahead with policies which seek to break the cycles and narrow the divides which have been accumulated over the life cycle. As such, we have our Dare to Dream strategy, a model providing productive inclusion and support for women, broadening their economic opportunities. This is particularly aimed to target vulnerable families through social protection. We've also accompanied millions of older women in vulnerable situations, promoting their autonomy, their ability to care for themselves and their active participation in their families and communities. Chair in countries such as ours, where informal labor makes up a lot of our employment, a large portion of our population, in particular women, reach old age without having been able to pay insufficient Social Security contributions to receive a pension.

This reality has a clear gender bias. Women are over represented in the informal economy. Moreover, they disproportionately assume non remunerated care work burdens that hinders their formal career and stymies their ability to pay into pension regimes. We have a reserve fund that was created to bolster state pensions and that shows we can tackle these challenges with responsible fiscal instruments that are sustainable and guarantee coverage. This is a debate that should be waged at a regional level.

So today I wish to issue an appeal to us all to begin to discuss.

The microphone has been cut off. I thank the Minister of Women of Dominican Republic. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Yeleni Zuniga, suspect Executive President of the National Institute for Women of Costa Rica.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, it is an honor to participate in this Ministerial roundtable on behalf of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Kenya, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay and my own country. As a member of the Group of Friends of Older Persons, we're participating to contribute to the debate on progress with gender equality and the empowerment of all older women in this session of the csw. Our discussion today reflects a demographic transition which really marks our time and that is the aging of our population. That demographic transformation is reshaping our societies, economies and communities. At the heart of that transformation, we have older women.

Their experiences.

Their experiences reflect a major achievement in human development. However, what we're seeing is accumulated disadvantages accumulated over the life cycle. There are gaps in terms of gender equality and inequalities in access to decent work. There are disproportionate responsibilities in terms of care work, domestic work and unremunerated care work and there are also gaps in terms of social protection suffered by women and these result in greater economic vulnerability and vulnerability in general in old age. Consequently, to make progress with the rights of older women, we need to adopt a gender equality approach that is Cross life cycle.

This approach must recognize women as being the victims of inequalities, but it should also promote policies which foster foster the dignity, empowerment and inclusion of women at all stages of the life cycle. Women are not simply receivers of support. They are active contributors to their families, communities and societies. They act as care providers, leaders and they are agents of social cohesion. However, their voices and viewpoints remain underrepresented in decision making processes.

We must as such, work to guarantee that we have social power protection systems which are inclusive, equitable access to health care, opportunities for lifelong learning and meaningful participation in public life. Tackling ageism and age based discrimination is essential to contribute to making societies which value people of all ages. Promoting the empowerment of older women also require requires acknowledging and valuing the care work they do and bolstering intergenerational solidarity and creating enabling environments where aging the microphone has been cut off.

Thank the Executive President of the National Institute for Women of Costa Rica on behalf of the Group of Friends of Older Persons, I now give the floor to distinguished representative of NENDA New Zealand

thank you, Madam Chair. New Zealand is pleased to contribute to this discussion on empowering older women and

addressing the overlapping challenges of gender equality and ageing. For many, New Zealand is a good place to grow old. We have a universal pension scheme and the government is focused on supporting older New Zealand to live well for longer through the Better Later Life Action Plan.

However, gender equalities build up across a woman's lifetime and become clearer in older age. Despite women living longer, men have 25% more on average in retirement savings than women, reflecting the gender pay gap, career breaks and the overrepresentation of women in part time and lower paid work. Health outcomes have also driven economic inequalities for older women.

For example, around 13% of New Zealand women considered leaving the workforce due to menopause symptoms, contributing to earlier retirement, reduced earnings and a loss of talent from our labour market. New Zealand is taking concrete steps to address these economic inequalities faced by older women by focusing on the root causes of inequality across a woman's life.

I'd like to share three examples. We have introduced a Gender Pay Gap toolkit to support businesses to understand and close their gender pay gaps, including practical tools and resources to promote action. Addressing pay disparities throughout women's working lives

is fundamental to improving outcome retirement outcomes. Last year, we added tools to calculate the impact of ethnicity and disability on the gender pay gap.

The Retirement Commission and the Ministry of Education are improving outcomes for older women by building financial capability earlier in life. From this year, financial education will be embedded in the school curriculum to support equitable access to knowledge and lifelong economic security. In 2025, the Ministry for Women launched Making Menopause Work, a guide to support employers to create menopause supportive workplaces and to help women build income security by remaining engaged in work longer.

A fundamental challenge to older women's empowerment is the intersection of sexism and ageing, making older women less visible and less valued in society, policy and data, despite their vital roles as leaders, workers, knowledge holders and caregivers. Thank you.

I thank the representative, the distinguished representative of New Zealand. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My country attaches particular importance to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in our society. Cuba is one of the oldest societies in Latin America, America and the Caribbean. 22% of its population is over the age of 60 and of this group 53% are women with a life expectancy above 80 years. The Constitution of our Republic states that the state has an obligation as does the society and families.

To protect, assist and facilitate a high quality of life for older adult women, guaranteeing their social participation and guaranteeing respect for their self determination. Our Family code has a chapter specifically devoted to the protection of their rights. It focuses on autonomy, dignity, social participation and the need to live a life free of violence. The right to free and universal education without discrimination or age limits is a reality in Cuba.

Universities for the elderly are functioning under the Ministry for Higher Education. They raise self esteem of our women. They improve socialization and promote community bottom participation. We have had more than 85,000 graduates from them since their inception. We have our national program for Older Care services that focuses on active ageing, guaranteeing a network of healthcare services and community spaces which help socialization, healthcare and autonomy.

We have our national system for protection and the empowerment of women that strengthens the legal protection of women against intra family violence and provides key legal tools for their defence. It renders it gives visibility to older people and takes into account the care economy, the Social Security of older women and comprehensive protection. We've done a lot to promote the empowerment of women in spite of the difficult conditions visited upon us by the US blockade which was stepped up by the power blackouts that have become a reality since January 2026. These policies have a direct impact on essential services for older adult women. Because they lack medicines, their vital treatment is interrupted, services and technologies are paralyzed.

This blockade must cease. It is criminal. We are committed to social justice and equity. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tuvalu Chair Excellencies. Distinguish our colleagues. Older women in tuvalu make up 61.9% of our old people's population. That's 60 years and above. In Tuvalua, older women play an essential role in sustaining families, communities and cultural knowledge.

They are caregivers, mediators of conflict, keepers of traditions and important sources of guidance for younger generations in small island communities. Their leadership contributes to social cohesion, community resilience, particularly in times of economic and environmental pressure. At the same time, achieving gender equality requires that the contributions of older women are matched by meaningful opportunities to participate in decision making. Tuvalu is a small island developing state composed of nine islands with a total land area of 26 square kilometers, dispersed across an ocean space of 1.2 million square kilometers of water. In many communities, everyday governance and dispute resolution take place through traditional systems such as Taufalikau Pule, the Council of Elders that guides community decision making.

These institutions play an important role in maintaining harmony and addressing local issues. However, women, including older women, are generally not members of the Falakau Pule and therefore have limited influence over the decisions that affect their communities. At the same time, many small island societies are experiencing increasing mobility. Young people often leave their home islands to pursue education and employment opportunities abroad. While this mobility brings important opportunities, it also changes family structures and can leave older persons, including older women with fewer relatives nearby, to provide daily support.

In this context, empowering older women means recognizing both their leadership and the challenges they face. It requires expanding opportunities for their meaningful participation in community governance and ensuring that development policies take into account the evolving realities of aging in small island communities. For Tuvalu, achieving gender equality across the life course means that valuing the knowledge, experience, and leadership of older women while ensuring that they are fully included in shaping the future of their communities. Faftailasi

I thank the distinguished representative of Tuvalu. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kazakhstan.

Thank you, Moderator Dear participants, Today's international community is focusing on issues related to dignified, safe and active lives for senior women. According to OECD estimates, by 2050 one in three people in developed countries will be over 65. This will have a direct impact on the economy, the labor market, and social stability. In recent years, our country has also faced a global challenge that is common to most countries an aging population.

While in the mid 20th century the country had a young demographic structure, today there is a clear trends towards an increase in proportion of elderly citizens. There are 448 Citizens aged 100 and older Living in Kazakhstan. In terms of gender, elderly Women accounts for 16.4% of this group. The oldest resident of the country from the Olutao region recently celebrated her 115th birthday. Ensuring the full participation of elderly women in social, economic and political life, as well as removing structural barriers that continue to limit their potential, is of particular importance.

Kazakhstan consistently promotes policies of gender equality and women's empowerment at all stages of the life cycle. These priorities are in enjoined in the concept of family and gender policy, national development strategies, and large scale social political reforms being carried out in the country. Special attention is paid to issues of active and healthy aging. A network of aging activity centers is being developed which is becoming important platforms for social integration, lifelong learning, health promotion, and the involvement of the older people in community activities. Kazakhstan is implementing measures to enhance the pension system, develop financial literacy, and expand opportunities for entrepreneurial and labor activity among senior women.

We also attach the great importance to ensuring that older women have access to quality health care services including chronic disease prevention, mental health support and improving quality of life. We ensure older women are not merely recipients of social support, but they play a pivotal role in strengthening intergenerational solidarity and social sustainability. Last year we launched the Central Asian Women Injustice Dialect Platform. One of those areas of focus is a mentoring and professional experience exchange program with the senior specialist. In this regard, Kazakhstan supports the further development of international efforts to promote the global agenda for active

I thank the distinguished representative of Kazakhstan.

And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Greece.

Honorable Chair thank you distinguished delegates. It is an honor to join the Minister.

Pivotal moment for Gender equality Greece alone with the growing recognition that promoting equality in later life requires coordinated actions across social protection, labor markets and social norms. Like much of Europe, Greece is experiencing rapid demographic change. Ensuring our approach Centers of active ageing Ensuring that older citizens are not merely care recipients but fully against participants in their communities. Our approach is built on three key principles. First, economic security and active participation.

Older women must not be viewed as passive beneficiaries of protective of protection system. They are contributors, caregivers, workers and knowledge holders. We have therefore introduced policies that allow retirees, including women, to remain in the labor market safely and transparently. If they wish, they can continue working while receiving 100% of their pension, contributing modestly to to the system. Second, community based care as a foundation for autonomy Incoming security alone is not enough without accessibility care systems inequalities deepen Greece Prioritizing helping older people remain in their homes and communities where independence, dignity and social participation are strongest.

Through community based services such as open care centers for older persons and day care centers, we provide preventive health and well being programs, tailored support for those with higher needs and specialized services for people living with dementia. This reflects a clear policy choice preventing over industry instruments, institutionalization and inclusion over isolation. Third, transforming social norms through inclusion, including digital inclusion. To address this, we are investing in digital skills for older person and persons with disabilities. These measures are part of Greece national strategy for long term care aligned with European and international commitments.

Excellencies Empowering older women is essential for fairness and social cohesion. Only integrated rights based life course approaches can dismantle structural inequalities and create inclusion frameworks that

I thank the distinguished representative of Greece and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.

Chair Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to be able to participate in this Ministerial roundtable to discuss this very important issue. Gender equality and the empowerment of all older women. Empowerment of all older women is not only A social obligation, but it is also a moral and humanitarian one which shows our respect for older persons and their experience and wisdom. Algerian older people have seen, have witnessed history, but they have. They also provide wisdom and experience and they participate in raising whole generations.

I'd like to share our experience with you. Our 2020 Constitution promotes the rights of these older women in addition to 2010 legislation which takes into account their needs, in addition to social measures that are underway. In addition to the criminalization also of all abuses of older persons, the State has provided a specialised network to to support older people over 65 and it provides support in an ongoing fashion. In addition to psychological, social and health services, we also have cultural programs as well and we have social offices on a local level. The aim is to also improve family relations, to reintegrate older people into their families and provide psychological support for this.

Fourthly, we have an application that receives any notifications regarding an older person who is in need or who is suffering psychological or other problems. This helps us to follow up on their cases and take necessary measures. Fifth, State provides social assistance every year for the protection of older persons who are living at home and to provide help with those helping them. And this is part of. This is a very respectful approach that we take next as part of our work on social cohesion.

Older women can benefit from psychological and social services.

This is a way of recognizing their participation in social life and it helps us respect all people's rights without exception. Thank you.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative, Ecuador.

Gracias, Presidenta. Thank you.

Chair, allow me to extend to you the brotherly greetings of the President of the Republic of Ecuador, Daniel Nabua. Allow me to greet you too. In Ecuador, protecting the rights of older adults is something we pursue from a human rights based approach and not a paternalistic approach. We recognize this group as a focus of our attention and we provide them with specialised care and bolster protection against any form of violence, neglect or exclusion. Discharging that mandate means that we have our decree on older persons whose goal is to guarantee that they can fully exercise their rights.

The law is intergenerational, intercultural in focus, and we have our national system for specialized comprehensive care for the rights of older persons. In Ecuador, between 2010 and 2022, the older adult population went from 6.5 to 9% of the overall pop.

And we've noted that after the age of 60, women have a longer life expectancy, but inequalities remain. With all of this in mind, we are implementing concrete measures. Cash Transfer programs and differentiated pensions. These heed the economic vulnerability of older women, but they also contribute to alleviating the care burden. The Ecuadorian model recognizes that empowering older women requires strengthening their participation in society's communities and ensuring civic life in order to erode stereotypes associated with old age and to promote social cohesion.

In that same vein, we have services and benefits which contribute to social protection of older persons through a geriatric care service network. We have home care visits, day centres, residential centres and spaces for the socialization of older women which reach vast swathes of our population. 70% of beneficiaries are older women. Ecuador reiterates its commitment to guaranteeing the rights of women at all stages of the life cycle. We are committed to bolstering international cooperation to champion dignified old age which is free of violence and where everyone enjoys substantive equality.

Ecuador has adopted its National Agenda for gender equality 2025, 2029. It is a roadmap with public policy and work streams which prioritise economic inclusion and the prevention of neglect and abuse. We've shouldered the commitment not only to guarantee rights, but also to ensure the proper enjoyment of them. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ecuador. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.

Okay.

Chair Excellencies, may the peace and blessings be with you. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would like to express its appreciation for international efforts seek to promote justice and equality between genders and also women's empowerment, including of older women. We are working to ensure active participation on this in order to achieve the SDGs here. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been undertaking unprecedented developmental changes and we have been working on equality of opportunity which is a priority. And we've been able to make tangible progress on women's participation, particularly in economic life.

This has been done through legislation and good quality initiatives.

His Royal Highness the Prince has reaffirmed that Saudi women are male men's partners without discrimination. On a legislative level, a policy has been launched on gender equality, equality of opportunity and in professional life. In addition, we have developed systems to build a safe working environment in addition to pay equality, salary, equality for equal pay for equal work. And we also have a training initiative that has helped more than 120,000 women so far.

And 400,000 women have benefited from this since it was launched in 2017. In addition, we have programs for children and training programs. All of this work has had an impact on our economic indicators. Women's participation has increased by 17%. It was 17% in 2017 and 34% today.

In addition, we've increased the number of women whole in managerial positions and this has increased by 44%. We've been working particularly on the rights of older women too to guarantee their dignity and rights. In addition, initiatives have also been rolled out to promote their integration, equal work opportunities and also to promote services and their social participation. In addition, we have a charter for older a card for older people so that they can have easier access to services. In conclusion, all of these efforts show how the Saudi Arabia is working to promote gender equality to make sure that women can be benefit from all of these measures, including older women.

The microphone has been cut off. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand Thailand.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellency. Integrate delegates.

Thailand is facing significant demographic changes due to declining birth rate and a rapidly aging population. This presents an important challenge that requires immediate and effective responses. We remain committed to promoting gender equality and empowering other women and all citizens. We are advancing policy measure to address the demographic transition and support working as people in building stable livelihoods and caring for their families. At the same time, we promoted work life balance and encouraged the active participation of on persons within society.

We mention includes strength, handling economy, security for working as family, promoting education for women of all ages, empowering other person to help economic and social support, improving opportunity and accessibility for persons with disability and fostering family community to cooperation between the public and private sector. Thailand is also implementing the Third Nation Plan for Other Persons 2023-2037 reserves as a comprehensive framework to promote, protect and enhance the protections of older persons. The plan aims to ensure that older persons can live with dignity, remain active in society and benefit equally from economic, social, technological and environmental development. Thailand reforms is commitment to ensuring that on other women reserve protection empower women and improve quality of life. Thank you.

Attend to the distinguished representative of Thailand and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovenia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Slovenia recognizes that gender equality and addressing poverty in older age must be ensured over the entire life course.

In Slovenia main challenge remains poverty among older women, particularly those living alone. We are addressing this challenge through several legislative measures and strategic policy documents. We have thus moved from recognizing the problem to devising solutions. The resolution on the National Program for Equal Opportunities for Women and men adopted in 2023 outlines objectives and measures to reduce gender gaps and exposure to the risk of poverty and social exclusion with a focus on women exposed to inequalities. A milestone achievement to address older women poverty was the adoption of the Long Term care Act in 2023.

Which is being gradually implemented since January 24. The status of family caregiver has been formally recognized. Home based care services followed in July 2025 and institutional care and cash benefits in December of last year. This reform is particularly important for older women who are often both care recipients and unpaid care providers. The reform strengthens dignity, economic security and social protection.

In order Hydrogen Next Slovenia Active Aging Strategy provides a comprehensive framework for longer, healthier and more secure lives, promoting participation, autonomy and well being in older age. It addresses aging through a gender sensitive lens to ensure that older women are not only protected but empowered as active contributors to society. Recent amendment to the Pension and Disability Insurance act will gradually increase the of benefits. Pension benefits including for persons with disabilities and for recipients of survivors and family pensions. Work life balance and care responsibilities policies are essential for long term investments in the economic security of older women.

Amendments to the parental protection legislation in 2022 ensured a more equal division of caregiving responsibilities between both parents. For all these policies to be effective, it is important to have sex and age disaggregated data not only to identify who is most at risk of poverty, exclusion, violence and barriers to services, but also to evaluate whether reforms are reaching older women effectively. Madam Chair, Slovenia will continue to work on reducing gender inequalities in older age.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia. Give floor to the distinguished representative of Oman.

Madam Chair, your Excellencies. Oman has attributed great importance to elder persons through caring them and improving the quality of their lives to match their needs and to provide them with safe environment as well as socio economic high quality services. Oman Vision 2040 emphasized that caring for elderly persons are part of its sustainable development. It laid the foundations to ensure their active participation in society. The Statute of the State which ensured justice, equality and maintaining human dignity for

all

stated that there will be a comprehensive legislative framework that ensures the interest of older persons and providing them with social protection under law, which provides umbrella to more than 137,000 older person men and women. Cash monthly payment is given to ensure their dignity. There are some regulatory documents like that for older persons in alternative families. Another regulation on social care.

In this connection, Ministry of Social Care established hospices in 2015 as the first governmental hospices to care for other persons. Services are not confined to sheltering. They include comprehensive health care, socio economic and mental health support. Madam Chair, Oman gives great importance to the inclusion of older persons in digital economy.

It has specific package to ensure them that they can use technology independently. Consistent with international guidance on active aging stressed by the WHO and Madrid Plan of Action for Aging in conclusion, Oman stresses its full commitment to address the structural impediments and ensuring that older persons can have equal and inclusive services that will ensure their active participation in society. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Now give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Arab Emirates.

Madam Chair, at the outset we express our full appreciation to you, you and women to allowing us this opportunity to highlight the need of a specific group in our community which is older women. UAE believes that women empowerment throughout her life is a key foundation to achieve equality, gender equality in particular among older women, given the challenges they are facing as a result of intersecting factors related

to gender and age. I would like to highlight some of the national initiatives launched by UAE to empower older women and enhance gender equality. First, consistent with the main theme of this year's session on the empowerment of

women and girls to access justice, UAE has taken specific steps to ensure that women can have legal protection and access to justice. We have law on the right of older persons. The law aims at protecting elder persons from discrimination and abuse and ensure the right to housing, health protection and employment.

Second, the policy of older persons complements the law. It aims to empower older persons, including women, to actively participate in society and ensure they have full access to specific services. Program on investment of the experience of

older persons is one of the key features of this policy. It contributes to enabling retired women to actively participate in cross generational guidance and ensure they continue to play the role in civil life. It aims to transfer their experience to young persons. This leads me to the third and last point which is that women empowerment throughout her life requires that she is provided with all skills and resources to

be successful given the current reality. Accordingly, Social Empowerment Ministry provided programs to train women on digital illiteracy to bridge the digital gap among generations and enable women to have basic services and enhance communication among generations. In conclusion, UAE reiterates its full commitment to promote policies that will improve gender equality and empower women throughout their lives.

Thank you representative of United Arab Emirates. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Thank you, Honorable Chair. Japan aims to build a society where every citizen across all generations, including older persons, can actively participate and thrive. In light of the demographic and household structure changes, addressing the various challenges faced by older persons as well as by generations that will enter old age in

the future has become an increasingly important policy issue. In particular, when viewed by gender, the number of the women aged 65 and over living alone is significantly higher than that of men. Older women have a higher poverty rate than older men and among them, older women living alone face particularly high levels of poverty. It is therefore essential to accurately understand

the realities surrounding the daily lives, employment and family structures of older women. And Japan has a number of measures in response. Firstly, Japan is coordinating cross disciplinary measures and strengthen clinical care systems to support women's health across the life course, particularly women in midlife and later.

And second, Japan is addressing gender inequalities in the labor market. Since 2022, the large companies have been required to disclose their gender pay gaps, encouraging greater transparency and corporate action to close wage disparities. And third, Japan continues to strengthen income security in old age through its Social Security system, including the universal basic pension and support measures for low income older persons.

And finally, Japan enacted the act on Support for Women Facing Difficulties, which provides comprehensive support for women facing a range of challenges, including poverty, violence and social isolation. This framework enables local governments and support organizations to respond to diverse needs, including those of older women. Japan will continue to promote efforts to

achieve gender equality and women's empowerment across all generations. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. I now invite Ms. Diana Keita, executive Director, Administrator of the United Nations Population Fund, to deliver a brief remark. Thanks, Ms. Keita. You have the floor.

Madam Chair Murakoze Chane Chani for your impeccable moderation.

Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, distinguished Representative of Member States, esteemed partners and colleagues. Allow me to begin by extending my sincere gratitude to all the Ministers for your valuable contribution, insight and the concrete solution you have shared. Today, population aging is one of the greatest transformation of our time. By 2050, one in six of us will be over 65 and the number of those over 80 will triple. Women will constitute the majority.

The question before us is therefore not simply how society will age, but how we ensure that they age with equity and rights, recognizing that we live in a world where aging is not gender neutral. Today's rich discussion has given us much to reflect upon. Congratulations to all Member States making immense efforts. Already listening to you all, we can learn from each other and do so much more. Pension gaps, social protection, health care Economic insecurity in older age reflects structural inequalities across life course.

Lower earning, unpaid care responsibilities and persistent discrimination shape women's access to assets and inheritance. Globally, women constitute the majority of people above retirement age. Without a regular pension, older women face higher risk of neglect, economic abuse and violence which remain under reported due to stigma. On average, women live longer than men, but spend a greater portion of their lives in poor health. Their specific health care needs are often ignored including access to dignified post menopause care, gender responsive service for older gender based violence survivor, non communicable diseases or climate induced effect on age.

Whether you see spoke for your country or issues on issues or on behalf of group of countries, our discussion today underscored key recommendations for action to address these challenges. For unfpa, the value of data cannot be overstated when analyzed through a gender and life course lens, data allows government to identify where inequalities are most acute and help them design targeted adequately financed reform. It transcends social protection and pension system, guides investment in the care economy, improve access to health service and help remove barrier to justice. Data disaggregated by gender and age becomes a foundation for inclusive evidence based policy making that advance gender equality, protects rights across the life course and drives equitable sustainable development. Excellencies Demographic change is not a challenge to be managed, it is an opportunity to be seized a chance to advance equality and dignity and build inclusive societies where policies are forward looking, economies are age responsive and communities are bound together by solidarity across across generation.

Older women are not the footnote in our demographic future. They are the leaders, caregivers, knowledge holders, custodian of culture and pillar of their community. Their right, dignity and voices must never be invisible. When we invest in women across the life course, protect their rights, dignity and voices, we unlock justice for them and build stronger societies for generations to come. At the United Nations Population Fund, we are committed to working hand in hand with you to ensure that every woman at every age counts and is counted, therefore is visible in our data, represented in our institutions and empowered in our societies.

I thank you for your kind attention and for your valuable contribution. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank UNFP Executive Director.

I would like to thank our distinguished participants for their valuable contributions to this important discussion. I will prepare a summary of discussion which will be uploaded on the website of UN Women. We have thus concludes our program of work for this meeting. The Commissioner will be resumed the general discussion this afternoon at 3pm in the general Assembly Hall. The speakers are reflected in the live list which have been circulated through the E delegates Hoto and Igavan.

The meeting is adjournment.