HelpAge International

Punjab, Pakistan has taken a significant step by putting older age firmly on the public policy agenda through the Senior Citizens Welfare Act. It sets up the structures to coordinate action & sustain funding, w/ a clear focus on older people most at risk- ow.ly/3xbx50Yv7jQ

Meaningful participation is not optional for gender equality. At #CSW70, older women are making clear why inclusion across all ages leads to better decisions.

Inclusion matters at every stage of decision‑making. These voices from #CSW70 underline why older women must be part of shaping policies that affect their lives.

The HelpAge global network is at #CSW70 in NYC as the session gets under way today. W/ network member Age International & older campaigners from Cameroon, Mongolia, Pakistan & Rwanda, we will be calling for older women’s rights to be secured everywhere. ow.ly/I0Vg50Yr5IS

Across the world, older women give their time, experience and resilience to build more equal communities. This #InternationalWomensDay, #GiveToGain calls us to recognise that gender equality does not end at a certain age. When older women gain rights, we all benefit.

At #CSW70 next week, we’re bringing generations together to address one of the most persistent inequalities facing women and girls: access to justice. 📅 Friday, 13 March 2026 ⏰ 16:45–18:00 📍 UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2 Register here: ow.ly/WM6i50Yq0go

@Irish_Aid’s visit to Malawi offered a clear picture of how the ROAR programme is working - by strengthening social protection systems & supporting older people to organise & be heard, the programme is helping them live w/ dignity & security in later life. ow.ly/M2QT50YnTUF

For the 1st time, the UN Commission on the Status of Women will put a dedicated spotlight on older women next week, placing their equality & empowerment firmly on the agenda. This is an imp moment to recognise their rights, leadership & lived experiences. ow.ly/5xHl50Yp0Ju

Last week in Malawi, @Irish_Aid spent time w/ HelpAge network member @manepo265 & older people whose lives are being changed through the ROAR programme that's supporting them to claim their rights & build resilience in the face of poverty & climate shocks. ow.ly/28nu50YnTJO

Since the war in Ukraine broke out in Feb 2022, HelpAge has supported 100s of 1000s of people, many of them older women and men who are too often overlooked. This has meant food & hygiene support, cash assistance, home‑based care, & safe community spaces. ow.ly/ezTQ50YlLA2

Behind the headlines of the Ukraine war are older people showing quiet courage everyday. 4 years on, solidarity still matters, your voice still matters. A simple message of care can offer comfort, strength and a reminder that they have not been forgotten. ow.ly/qfMF50YlLqH

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, older people remain among those hardest affected. HelpAge International and HelpAge Canada have supported thousands with food, hygiene supplies, and care, working alongside local organisations. We stand with older Ukrainians.

Today, we want to carry a message from you to older people in Ukraine - a few words of solidarity, hope or encouragement. Many endure knowing they are not alone, that people beyond their borders still care. Send your message of solidarity here: ow.ly/MnTq50YkRx2

4 years of the full‑scale war in Ukraine, it is older people who carry the heaviest burden. Today, they account for half of all civilian deaths in the country, yet 67% of older people remain invisible in humanitarian responses and 51% are living alone. ow.ly/Ge7i50YkR6e

We spoke with Ms. Claudia Mahler, UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, about the importance of ensuring older people and civil society are included in the drafting of a future legally binding instrument on the rights of older people:

For HelpAge International, GAROP, and partners across civil society, these measures are essential to building a process that genuinely reflects the voices, rights, and lived experiences of older people worldwide. Read GAROP’s full statement here: ow.ly/lsyu50Yi0Cm

- Inclusive national consultations that actively involve organisations of older people.

At the end of the first session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons yesterday, HelpAge International and campaigners delivered their statements, calling for older people’s voices to be fully included throughout the Working Group’s process.

- Transparency, with drafts, submissions, and working documents shared in advance, in a timely manner, so civil society can engage meaningfully and constructively.