The 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) will take place in New York City from March 11-22, 2024. Discussions will focus on addressing poverty to achieve gender equality, as well as the impact of social protection systems.
HelpAge USA, along with members of the HelpAge global network, will be attending CSW68 to raise the profile, voices, and rights of older women and advocate for their full inclusion within the global gender movement.
Here is a list of events HelpAge will be hosting or participating in as a member of the panel.
Events Hosted by HelpAge
Parallel Event
Poverty, injustice, and rights of older women in the global development agenda
HelpAge International
Location: In person; The Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission, Lower Level, East 52nd St, New York, NY
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 12:30pm EST
Details: This event by HelpAge International will consider the impact of poverty, discrimination, and gendered ageism on women from infancy into older age. We will look at how these have perpetuated across the global development agenda and through social norms and legal frameworks.
Side Event
Ageism & Poverty: An intergenerational exchange between girls, young women, and older women
HelpAge Deutschland, Plan International, UN Women (Germany), and Permanent Mission of Germany
Location: In person; Permanent Mission of Germany to United Nations, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 5pm EST
Panelists: UN Women (Germany), HelpAge International, Plan International, and WHO
Details: This event is designed to establish a platform for cross-generational dialogue and collaboration concerning the pressing issue of poverty impacting girls, young women, and older women. Notably, at-risk groups such as adolescent girls, young women, and older women share common experiences in encountering discrimination. An important consequence of poverty is the prevalence of gender-based violence, placing young girls at an elevated risk of early and forced marriages, while older women increasingly face discrimination, neglect, and ageism. By encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives, our goal is to formulate innovative solutions and strategies that effectively address the distinct challenges confronted by these demographic groups.
Side Event
Beyond crisis: Driving gender equality and empowerment for women and girls of all ages through social protection
HelpAge International, International Labour Organization (ILO), and Government of Ireland
Location: In person and online; UN General Assembly Building, Conference Room 12, New York, NY
Date: Monday, March 18, 2024, 11:30am EST
Panelists: ILO, UN Women, HelpAge Global Network, USCIB, International Employers Union
Details: Focusing on the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls of all ages through social protection, this event features representatives from different actors and multiple areas of policy-related expertise across all geographical regions. The panel will look at incorporating discussions on how social protection can effectively advance gender equality, as well as the theoretical perspectives, opinions, and evidence from HelpAge International’s work to discuss this critical issue.
Speakers/Panelists from HelpAge at Other Events:
Parallel Event
Financial provision for older women
National Alliance of Women Organisations
Location: In person; Baha’i International Community, 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY
Date: Monday, March 11, 2024, 11:30am EST
Panelists: Chair – Baroness Hodgson; Alison Marshall (CEO of HelpAge global network member Age International); Nayyarr Javed (Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women); Mathilde Nkwirikiye (Mothers Union); Nova ElShreif Taha (SAGE); Jody Ann Hemmings (NAWO Young Women’s Alliance)
Details: This interactive seminar with experts and activists will look at best practice in ensuring the achievement of gender equality for older women and the prevention of poverty in latter years.
Parallel Event
Reaching the last mile: Comprehensive SRHR for ALL women and girls
Alliance for Gender Equality and UHC
Location: In person; Armenian Cultural Center, Y Room, 630 2nd Ave (at 35th St), New York, NY
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 12:30pm EST
Panelists: Alison Marshall (CEO of HelpAge global network member Age International)
Details: The event will explore pathways to accountability and tailored strategies for ensuring that women and girls at the last mile–sex workers, women with disabilities, adolescent girls, older women, LGBTQI+ women–are not left behind in efforts to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and agency for women and girls.
Side Event
Enforcement of the international, national laws, and legal frameworks in protecting women during times of war: Building on Arab experiences
Libya and the Arab Women Organization
Location: In person; UN General Assembly Building, Conference Room 3, New York, NY
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 3pm EST
Panelists: Cherian Mathews (CEO of HelpAge International)
Details: The panel, highlighting experiences from the Arab region will discuss the effectiveness of legal instruments and frameworks intended to protect women during times of war and conflicts. They will share best practices and provide recommendations to strengthen laws and policies to protect and enhance women’s rights.
Parallel Event
Mirror to the face of poverty
UK CSW Alliance
Location: In person and online; CCUN, Fourth Floor, New York, NY
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024, 4:30pm EST
Panelists: Chair – Baroness Hodgson; Carole Agengo (HelpAge International Regional Representative for Africa and Global Initiatives Lead); Alyssa Ahrabare (European Network of Migrant Women Advocacy and Legal Lead); Dr. Atieno Mboya (BIC); Alice Garrick (Anglican Communion – Pakistan); Mathilde Nkwirikiye (Mothers Union); Chloe Knight (NAWO YWA); Viviane Teitelbaum (Vice-President of the French Coordination for the European Women’s Lobby)
Details: This interactive seminar will provide alternative perspectives on the different faces of female poverty, with examples of best practices and solutions. Looking at the experiences of older women, widows, and displaced and migrating women, we will explore key topics such as decent work and pay, affordable and sustainable care, social protection payments, shared parental leave, desegregated data systems, and community support.
