Policy areas

POPULATION - Ageing

 

Although the number varies depending on regions, there are more women than men in the older populations of every country in the ECE region, with the largest differences being observed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Since women are more likely than men to become widowed and live alone, they are more vulnerable to the social and economic problems related to the changes in population structure and inadequate social protection. Due to life-long discrimination in the labour market, and the fact that women work more often in informal and unpaid activities, women receive less pension, lack social security and are more prone to poverty than men, especially in older age. Women aged 80 years and older is the fastest growing group of the elderly in the world. Women and men at this age are vulnerable to chronic diseases that may reduce their mobility as well as their ability to maintain social contacts, and therefore their quality of life.

 

The decrease in social protection provision and the ageing of populations increases the burden of caring for the elderly, as well as other members of the family or community in need of health care. This burden falls excessively on women whose traditional role is that of a caretaker. Such responsibility lays a ‘double burden’ on women, who in addition to caring for the elders and being responsible for domestic work also often have paid employment. In other cases, care giving can result in women being unable to participate in paid work, which among other things has serious consequences with regard to their pension. Additionally, the care giving is usually unpaid.

 

Examples of policies in the region:
Canada: policies on care for the elderly