The current global health crises and emergencies, has created and exacerbated existing inequalities, with the past three years intensifying the socioeconomic, environmental, health and climate related impacts on the lives of older persons, especially older women who constitute the majority of older persons. This is a call to action and opportunity aimed to embrace the voices of older women and showcase their resilience and contributions in society, while promoting policy dialogues to enhance the protection of older persons human rights and recognize their contributions to sustainable development.
The IFRC Healthy Ageing Strategy and operational framework 2030 (available in English here) provides strategic guidance and direction to all 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and IFRC Secretariat to prioritize the healthy ageing in development, emergencies, and humanitarian contexts across four interconnected pillars:
- Ensuring the physical and mental health and psychosocial well-being of older people.
- Addressing ageism, exclusion, violence, and neglect.
- Promoting intergenerational solidarity and dialogue.
- Positioning IFRC and the National Societies as advocates for voices of older people and healthy ageing.
In addition, IFRC will be working with Reference Centres, field offices and National Societies to disseminate the strategy and framework. It is hoped that through these initiatives, National Societies can lead the way in supporting our older generations, ensuring that they lead healthy, active, dignified, and independent lives.
