Ageing, Gender, Power: Rethinking Women’s Health, Work and Rights Across the Life Course

On April 28, 2026, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) hosted the event “Ageing, Gender, Power,” bringing together leaders and experts from across sectors to explore the realities of ageing women and the urgent need to centre gender in the global ageing agenda. 

In the keynote address, Ms. Aparna Mehrotra, formerly of UN Women, emphasised the importance of strong normative frameworks that transcend national boundaries and called for coordinated action across sectors. She highlighted that progress cannot occur in silos - equitable access to healthcare depends on anti-discrimination efforts, while meaningful labour market inclusion requires flexible, life-course responsive design. 

Speakers throughout the event reinforced the need for systems to evolve collectively, across the life course, within labour markets, and in urban and housing design. They also stressed the importance of strengthening data systems to make older women visible and confronting ageism with both conviction and empathy. 

The panel discussion featured a diverse group of global leaders who explored key challenges and opportunities in advancing gender-responsive ageing policies: 

• Dr. Patricia Morsch, Regional Advisor, Healthy Aging, PAHO/WHO  
• Ms. Palakh Khanna, Founder, Break The Ice; Regional Representative for Asia, Commonwealth Students' Association; Asia’s 100 Women Power Leaders ’23  
• Ms. Melissa Gong Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Coalition on Aging  
• Ms. Grace Chan, Member of the 8th Legislative Council; Chief Executive, Hong Kong Council of Social Services (HKCSS)  
• Ms. Renata Nowak-Garmer, Social Protection Programme Director, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) 
• Moderated by Dr. Cynthia Stuen, Main Representative to the United Nations, International Federation on Ageing 

The discussion underscored several priorities for action: 

• Adopting a life-course, gender-responsive, rights-based approach to policy and systems design  
• Transitioning care systems from models of “family responsibility” to shared, state-supported structures  
• Advancing health systems beyond male-centric research toward inclusive, preventive care across women’s lives  
• Fostering intergenerational collaboration, recognising that younger generations are shaping—and will live within—these systems  
• Recognising older women not only as beneficiaries, but as workers, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and economic contributors  

A strong call to action emerged from the discussion. Reflecting on past advocacy efforts, Dr. Cynthia Stuen shared a powerful message received during a meeting at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: “You are too polite, you need to make more noise.” Participants were encouraged to carry this forward—raising their voices, challenging systems, and driving meaningful change for women and ageing.