Re-affirmation and update of the resolution 14 of Helsinki
Aware that poverty in old age has a strong gender dimension and that women are more likely than men to experience discrimination in access to education, work, income, health care and inheritance,
Aware that due to low pay and/or part-time jobs, unemployment and career interruption by family responsibilities, most of the women do not get a decent pension or sufficient social security,
Referring to the International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002.
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN Urges its affiliated National Councils to exercise influence on their governments
- to ensure that the particular needs of older women are specifically addressed in poverty eradication strategies and implementation programmes,
- to guarantee social security and social protection on a permanent basis,
- to provide for a minimum and inflation-proof pension (index-linked), which allows for a decent living,
- to ensure gender equality in social protection/social security systems,
- to consider innovative social protection/social security programmes for women working in the informal sector.
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Source: International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) — 30th General Assembly, Perth, Western Australia, August 31 – September 5, 2003. Resolution No. 16.
