International Longevity Centre Global Alliance - Designing the Future of Ageing

16 July 2025

During the 2025 UN High Level Political Forum, the ILC Global Alliance and partners hosted a side event to address the intersection of ageism and sexism, advocating for a UN convention to protect the rights of older persons.

“The Intersectionality of Ageism & Sexism: Harnessing The Power of Older Women” was held on July 16, 2025 at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, United Nations, New York where experts emphasized that achieving gender equality (SDG 5) requires recognizing older women as vital contributors and implementing policies that value their unpaid work, estimated at over 20% of GDP.

The event was set out to expose how ageism and sexism collide to exclude older women, and to encourage support, across governments and society, for a UN convention on the rights of older persons. Speakers argued that policies and legislation, allied to better data and investment, are crucial for the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5 on gender equality, to be achieved by 2030.

Ms. Margaret Gills, president of ILC Canada and Co- president of ILC Global Alliance, and Mr. Kahir Lalji, CEO of HelpAge Canada moderated the event hich featured experts from all around the world:

• E. Bob Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York
• E. Paula Narváez, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations in New York
• Amal Abou Rafeh, Chief of the Programme on Ageing Section, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York
• Marta Hajek, Chief Executive Officer, Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
• Rosy Pereyra, President, ILC Dominican Republic.
• Cherion Mathew, Chief Executive Officer of HelpAge International

Throughout the dialogue, a principal was stated by each speaker that age and gender are essential lenses for examining and reforming economic and social systems in order for every one of us to be able to live with dignity and security. Ms. Abou Rafeh revealed that only 25% of the 402 Voluntary National Reviews since 2016 mentioned older people on SDG 5, suggesting that the gender policy still targets youth. She continued by adding that National time transfer must develop to include the unpaid work older women provide, which is estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, otherwise their human rights will not be respected.

Ms. Hajak insisted that the intersection of pervasive ageism and sexism, both deeply entrenched social constructs, not only are a violation of human rights, they pose a direct barrier to global social progress. She remodeled older women as vital contributors with deepened expertise to the social fabric of our world.

Mr. Lalji closed the event with a final remark that in the society with ageism and sexism, it is imperative for all of us to be nimble and adaptive yet remain steadfast and committed to our north star.

Author: Kazufumi Yamamoto

Contact Details: kazufumi-yamamoto0609@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Panel discussion at the side event “The Intersectionality of Ageism & Sexism” held at the UN High Level Political Forum. (Speakers from left to right: Dr. Rosy Pereyra [at podium], Ms. Margaret Gillis, H.E. Bob Rae, Ms. Amal Abou Rafeh, Ms. Marta Hajek,Mr. Cherian Mathews, Mr. Kahir Lalji).

Credit: Screenshot of HelpAge Canada via YouTube.