A United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons to combat ageism and protect seniors

On June 9, 2022, during the RTOERO Vibrant Voices webinar Human rights denied: Canadians against ageism, Margaret Gillis and Dr. Kiran Rabheru from the International Longevity Centre Canada (ILC) spoke about ageism and the rights of older persons. This webinar is part of the Vibrant Voices webinars series that advocates for critical policy improvements to address urgent seniors’ needs.

Margaret Gillis explained why it’s urgent to push for the ratification of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. COVID-19 and its disproportionate toll on seniors showed us, if needed be, that not everybody is treated equally and demonstrated the fragility of human rights. The World Health Organization declared that every second person in the world is believed to hold ageist attitudes. “During the pandemic Canada had the worst death rate in long-term care of all OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries,” explained Margaret Gillis. Measures need to be taken so that it can never happen again.

One way to combat ageism is to have a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. A convention and its laws will:

• offer protection to older persons
• combat ageism
• guide all levels government policy making
• improve accountability
• empower seniors

A convention would provide public awareness and legally binding protection of older persons rights under international law.

RTOERO supports a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. The convention is part of our Seniors strategy. RTOERO is actively speaking with all levels of government about the need for a comprehensive seniors strategy and resources focused on the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults. RTOERO is also interested in joining the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and is an active partner in local and national initiatives against ageism. RTOERO will keep pushing for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

What can RTOERO members do?

• Consult RTOERO white papers on Seniors strategy and Geriatric Health Care
• Support RTOERO Vibrant Voices advocacy initiatives
• Speak to their district representative of the Political Advocacy Committee
• Ask members to take part in ILC campaign for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Resources

Watch the webinar – Human rights denied: Canadians against ageism

ILC

• International Longevity Centre Canada (ILC)
• ILC Canada Report: Thematic Report on the Human Rights of Older Women for the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
• ILC: Why We Need a UN Convention

United Nations

• UN – Ageing
• Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG)
• OEWG – Older Women Rock the World: The Right to Participation and Those Who Make it Happen
• International Day of Older Persons – 1 October
• Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
• Older people need stronger human rights protection

Organizations

• The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People
• the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People – Age With Rights Campaign
• International Federation of Aging
• World Health Organization – Global report on ageism 

Learn about ageism

• What is ageism?
• 5 signs you’re experiencing ageism and what to do about it
• The nuances of ageism: How intersectionality can impact the experience of aging
• Webinar: The Women’s Age Lab and gendered ageism with focus on older women
• Webinar: Ageism and intersectionality