Overview

Women aged 50 and over account for over a quarter (26 per cent) of the world’s female population, yet they are almost entirely invisible in debates on gender equality globally – including those related to gender and health. Gender inequality impacts on the health and wellbeing of women and girls across the life-course and can result in compounded disadvantage in later life. Women live longer than men but spend more of their lives in ill health or with a disability. At the same time women of all ages – including older women – are the main providers of health and care globally. This unequal distribution of care at all ages is a root cause of gender inequality across the life-course. Despite these facts, older women’s needs and rights are poorly addressed within global health agendas and within progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). Progress towards UHC can contribute to a more gender equal world. But this will only happen if governments invest in gender transformative approaches to UHC that meet the needs and uphold the rights of women and girls of all ages, including older women.