Sailesh Mishra felicitated with the prestigious ‘Karmaveer Puraskaar Maharatna’

• Three-day congregation celebrates inclusivity, egalitarianism and extraordinary in ordinary
• Awardees for this year represented 10 plus countries

November 26, 2019, New Delhi: Sailesh Mishra has been felicitated with the coveted ‘Karmaveer Puraskaar Maharatna’ National award for his commendable work in the field of social service at the annual “iCONGO’s  REX Conclave that was held from November 25 to 27 in New Delhi. 

The three-day congregation celebrated inclusivity, egalitarianism and extraordinary in ordinary as REX believes in POWER of ONE and “I Change to Change India, I change to change the World and I change to change everything”.

The coveted awards celebrate their belief in “Not just Talks but ideas for Action” to usher in change. The 3-day REX CONCLiVE is a must for all Karmaveeraward recipients and REX Karmaveer Global Fellows to attend because the 3 days is where a lot of collective-learning, knowledge-sharing and wisdom-transfer. Thus, the REX CONCLiVE is not just a school, college, institution or university of learning, but a TEMPLE OF LEARNING that celebrates and values LIFE, LEADERSHIP and Leaning2Learn lessons that each fellow and award recipient shares with each other. Here everyone is a learner and teacher and mentor and mentee. In the words of Jeroninio Almeida (founder of REX and Karmaveer mission) in his book series Karma Kurry “I believe that everyone is a hero, a leader, a volunteer, a teacher and a champion of change. All we need to do is acknowledge and understand this and then help others to also understand the same. That’s all it takes to be a hero, a leader, a volunteer, a teacher and a champion of change.”

At the REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship, we have created this shared, sacrosanct space for learning where everyone learns from each other and draws inspiration from each other. Earlier this year we had launched the REX Karmaveer Global Young Leaders Fellowship where several students from schools/colleges were awarded the Karmaveer Chakra (instituted in partnership with the UN) Blue Medallion of Honour for their cutting-edge work to be the change and make a difference. This year on 26th November 2019 several Karmaveer Puraskaar award recipients and Noble Laureates, from the past 15 years were awarded the highest Honour, the Karmaveer Puraskaar Maharatna for their sustained efforts to keep doing good and continuing with their noble work.  These 45 award recipients were also given the Karmaveer Chakra blue medallion of honour, which was created for students, for being lifelong learners and keeping an open mind to learning in every moment. We must remember Leadership and Learning are co-related and indispensable to each other.

The awardees for this year represented several countries from across the globe and were finalised after a rigorous selection process. These awards seek to celebrate and inspire individual citizen social responsibility, justice and action, and are held every year on the day the Indian Constitutional Pledge was signed.

Sailesh Mishra has been conferred with this award for his constant work in the field of Elder care and Dementia.

Commenting on the award, REX founder Jeroninio Almeida said, "The  Rex Karamveer  Global Fellowship, Karamveer Puraskaar and Karmaveer Chakra awards  recognise and applaud the social commitment of concerned, socially responsible individuals, who have proactively and voluntarily worked for bringing a positive transformation in the society and the world we live in. In today’s world where there is huge apathy & indifference, we feel a paramount need for being not just a good person but also a good citizen who exercises her/ his rights, duties & responsibilities as a concerned, just and humane citizen.”

“We congratulate Sailesh Mishra for possessing the conviction and compassion to stand up, speak out and lead the change with her positive as well as Inspirational attitude! The management of iCONGO has selected his/ her nomination after thorough due diligence. We are glad to have found a true champion of social justice issues in Sailesh Mishra and wish that more and more citizens gave their time, involvement and humane feelings towards addressing social justice issues and being the change and role models for other citizens to follow,” Almeida added.

The CtrlS - iCONGO promoted “KARMAVEER PURASKAAR (KVP)” are the Global Awards for Social Justice and Citizen Action instituted by the people sector & civil society with various partner organisations, citizens at large and media supporters. Be the change you want to see in this world is what every KARMAVEER inherently believes and practices.

The awards are given every year on the 26th day of November, our National Social Justice and Citizen Action Day, the day we adopted our constitutional pledge as a REPUBLIC and Indian Citizens in 1949.

The “KARMAVEER PURASKAAR” awards ceremony has over the years become a “MELTING POT” where People from India & Global Citizens that comprise individuals ranging from princes and princesses to global bestselling authors, young politicians, statesmen, bureaucrats, ambassadors, actors, singers, captains of industry, media professionals, development workers, young adults, students, school children, homemakers, academicians, slum workers and others who come “TOGETHER as ONE to RIGHT every WRONG”. 


About Karmaveer Puraskaar:

The Karmaveer Puraskaar is the global civilian honours given by the international confederation of NGO (iCONGO) in partnership with United Nations to the people across the globe for relentless courage. The award is tribute to the A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, 11th President of India, who had offered to be the ambassador for the awards and international volunteering olympiad.
The award is presented annually in mid of November to individuals and organisations in broad categories like activism, education, volunteering and healthcare. Some of the recipients are Joyanto Mukherjee, Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, Harish Iyer, Hariharan Iyer, Dr. Shruti Kapoor, Manju LathaKalanidhi, RtnSayantan Sinha, Dr.RenuAgrawal,BinayakDewan,JyotiDhawale, Kajol, GeetaSankar, Sudha Menon among many others.

Verghese Kurien known as father of the white revolution of India is the first recipient of Karmaveer lifetime achievement award.




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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

India: 115th Birthday Celebrated of World Oldest Living Person

We at Silver Innings wish Happy 115 Birthday to World Oldest Living Person SUPER CENTENARIAN Mrs. MATHIURONGLIU GANGMEI of Makhuam-3 village, Marangjing, Noney District, Manipur-795159, India.

God bless her with long, happy, healthy and peaceful life.

She celebrated her 115 Birthday on 9th of May 2018.

As informed provided by:
K G Akham
Office Asstt.
Children Training School, Noney, Manipur
Email: kgakham@gmail.com
Contact No. 9612971541

Posted by #Silverinnings on 11th May 2018

Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

Love is waiting to bloom in the silver years

MUMBAI, INDIA / EVENT / March 14th , 2013 

For the first time in India, live in relationship / companionship options, besides marriage; have been included in a unique match-making initiative for senior citizens, to be organized in Mumbai by the Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point, in association with Silver Inning Foundation and Vina Mulya Amulya Sewa (VMAS). This is the ‘Senior Citizens Jeevan Saathi Samelan’, for the 50+ who are not married, divorced or widowed and seek the company of a soul mate. This Full day event will be held on 7th April 2013 at 10:00 am at the Dadar Matunga Cultural Centre, 122-A, J K Sawant Marg, Opp Bombay Glass Works, Mahim West, Next to Yashwant Natya Mandir ,  Mumbai 400 016, where senior citizens from across the country are expected to participate in large numbers. Entry is free and caste, creed, sex, location across the country, faith and community is no bar.

The UNFPA report attributes the demographic transition to declining fertility in the reproductive age group and increased longevity. UN projections suggest that India is “gradually but surely transitioning away from a young age structure with the elderly population soon outnumbering children in India”.

In the social scenario, where the joint families are breaking down, old people’s health, security issues and psychological issues have to be handled.

With nuclear families becoming the order of the day, senior citizens are often left to fend for themselves, even in times of need. Isolation, the feeling of rejection, gradually cause them to withdraw from active social lives; they retreat into their solitary cocoons, often falling into depression.   In lonely and depressing old age for those who are divorced or have lost their spouse and by taking up this initiative we hope to help elderly singles to find a suitable companion and enter into matrimony.

A major transition into old age occurs due to the loss of spouse that contributes to a feeling of increased insecurity among both men and women. The 2001 Census analysis shows that the differential in marital status by sex is more pronounced among the elderly. Among the elderly, 82 per cent of men and 47 per cent of women were still married. About half of all elderly women were widowed while only 15 per cent of elderly men were widowers. In more advanced age of 80 years and above, widowhood dominates the status for women with 71 per cent of women and only 29 per cent of men having lost their spouses. These differentials reflect the marriage and mortality patterns in which a majority of Indian men who survive to the age of 60 are still married state while more than half of the older women live without their spouse.

Not having a spouse in the older ages is a cause for concern for both men and women. Studies from other parts of the world have shown that those who are married have better health than those who are not, but this relationship is more apparent in the case of older men compared to older women (Goldman et. al., 1995; Bose and Gangrade, 1988). For Indian women who have lost their spouse, financial security poses a problem, since women generally do not own land or other assets and are dependent on their children, particularly sons. In fact, research on widows in India by Marty Chen (1998) and others indicates that there is a high level of poverty among women in India upon becoming widows.

Longer life expectancy gives many people the opportunity to form new relationships at advanced ages, and it makes sense emotionally to find someone to enjoy old age with. In many cases, it makes good financial sense to marry when you're older, but social security and tax laws discourage marrying after 60 for some individuals. Each person must balance cultural and religious beliefs with financial considerations to decide whether or not marrying after 60 is best for them.

“There is a difference between what men and women in their twilight years seek from a partnership,” says Natubhai Patel, 62, founder-chairman of VMAS and the brain behind the initiative. “For most men, companionship is the prime motive while for women financial security is the primary concern,” says Patel, who has successfully arranged more than 75 marriages and 25 live-in relationships through his pan-India venture since he established VMAS four years ago.

Sailesh Mishra founder president of Silver Inning Foundation Says ‘There is nothing wrong with a second marriage or remarriage after 60. The Elders should not feel guilty. This is one of the option / opportunity to bring happiness into their lives once again, by having a person to love and share a fulfilling life.  Companionship is the need of old age.

Rajiv Agarwal , president of Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point say’s ‘‘ our club is supporting this programme as per our commitment for Elders and our major focus is to provide " companionship opportunities to the lonely elders , beside marriage " ’ . ‘The next generation is opening up to the idea, becoming more supportive of their elderly singles thinking of new companions in the silver years of their lives ' .

Lonely senior citizens in the city looking for companionship are now only a step away from finding a partner for the rest of their lives.

New Relationship & Love is waiting to bloom in the twilight years and we all need to support it with care and support.

This programme is supported by AISCCON, FESCOM, Mumbai; iVolunteers, iCONGO and 1298 Senior Citizens Helpline.

To attend the Sammelan prior registration is compulsory. Interested senior citizens from all over India may send

•           Their biodata , Registration Form can be asked

•           2 passport size photographs

•           A copy of the death certificate of the spouse, or documentary proof of divorce, whichever is relevant can be bought at the day of event

•           A valid copy ID proof can be bought at the time of event

by email to:  silverinnings@gmail.com

For more information call: Silver Inning Foundation 09987104233 / 09029000091 Email: silverinnings@gmail.com

Or Natubhai Patel of Vina Mulya Amulya Sewa (VMAS)   09825185876

A good companion shortens the longest road ...........................

 

Press Release by Silver Inning Foundation 

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

INDIA : 'National Conference on Ageing' 6th ,7th Nov 2012

NEW DELHI , INDIA / BUSINESS STANDARD / EVENT / OCT 26,2012

By Press Trust of India

Aiming to empower senior citizens and take stock of the social, financial and health issues faced by them, Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry (MSJE) will hold a two-day ageing conference here next month. 

The 'National Conference on Ageing' will bring together representatives of all state governments, key union ministries, organisations working in this sector and several imminent citizens to dwell upon the issues faced by senior citizens, a senior official from SJ&E Ministry said.

"The conference has been divided into four themes concerning older persons.The sessions will be chaired by senior officials from several ministries and organisations to shed light on the programs conducted by them for senior citizens and its response," he said.

The themes decided for the conference- planned for the first week of November- are Social and Economic Security of Older Persons, Health care, Family and Community Care, and focus on Special Elderly Groups consisting of senior citizens above 80 years. 

"Senior officials from ministries such as Home Affairs, Labour and Employment, Finance, Health and Rural Development, Planning Commission have been invited for conducting fruitful discussions over the policies concerning older persons," the official said. 

For holding discussions on pension and insurance schemes for senior citizens, SJ&E Ministry has invited representatives from pension and insurance regulatory authorities. 

NGO's dealings with United Nation's mandate for senior citizens have also been invited for the conference. 

 

"We have sent a special invitation to the Delhi Police to discuss physical security of these vulnerable people," he said. 

Several groups and sub-groups will be formed to conduct in-depth discussions and analyse the issues covered in the four original themes. 

"These group and sub-groups will present their recommendations and findings on the second day of the conference," the official said. 

During the course of discussion, the conference will also review various aspects related to senior citizens (Maintenance, Protection and Welfare) Act in various states and ways to ensure that it is implemented effectively. 

"Several states have yet not followed all the provisions of this act even after repeated reminders from the SJ&E Ministry.The Ministry will once again request these states to ensure its through implementation," he said. 

The Conference will be inaugurated by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister (MOSJE)  Mukul Wasnik who will also chair the final round of discussion on the second day.

 

Business Standard Copyright © 2012

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. 
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

INDIA : A piece of Mumbai at the UN

MUMBAI , INDIA / THE METROGNOME / SOCIETY / OCT 20, 2012

By Vrushali Lad 

A slight and unassuming man, Sailesh Mishra (45) comes across as soft-spoken and pliable. But then he begins to describe how he got associated with the senior citizens episode on Aamir Khan’s TV show Satyameva Jayate. “I got a call from Aamir Khan Productions in September 2011. A woman called saying that she wanted to meet me for an episode they were shooting on senior citizens for the show. Since we get many such requests (at his Mira Road-based NGO Silver Innings), I asked them to send me a letter and then we’d see.

      Sailesh Mishra talks about representing India at the UN, and refusing to do Satyameva Jayate’s senior citizens episode in its original format.

The letter was brought the very next day, while the director of the show explained the concept of the episode in detail. But I soon realised that they were planning an episode to show elderly people as sad, abused, dependent human beings. I immediately told the lady, ‘Please tell Mr Khan that if this is what you want to portray on the show, I don’t want to be a part of it.”

Sailesh has always been a champion of the “happier side of old age”, which was why he started his NGO, Silver Innings, in 2008, as a means to help create a “sustainable gerontology”. He explains, “We often berate those who we feel are not taking care of the elders in the family. But you must understand, most children are not bad, they don’t wilfully neglect their parents. It is just that there are not enough options created by the government and society when it comes to elder care. Unlike in the West, we don’t have such services as assisted help for the elderly, or a service to provide groceries, or cooked food, or do other chores. We don’t even have enough NGOs that work for the causes of the elderly.”

Sailesh’s NGO was registered with the United Nations’ Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Ageing convention held annually in New York, last year, owing to the efforts of Susan Somers of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). “I got the opportunity of participating in the 3^rd such OEWG held this year. On the opening day, the Indian ambassador gave a rosy picture of the current scenario of health care for the elderly in India. He even had the nerve to say, ‘Why do the elderly need rights? Their development is the responsibility of the society and their families. What can the government do?’”

To Sailesh’s huge amazement, he got the chance to make a statement on the floor of the House. “Only six people got a chance to speak that day, and I was the first,” he beams. “I gently but firmly refuted what the Indian ambassador had said, and I stressed the need for the government to be more proactive in implementing several schemes for the elderly in India. I didn’t see him for three days after that!” (Read Sailesh’s statement made on the floor of the House here.)

Of the member states, Costa Rica and Argentina were the most passionate about promoting the cause of gerontology, he says. “These two would even hold a briefing for NGOs every morning. But the EU and the US were extremely against the state having a stake in elders’ care, because they do not want to spend on it.”

An interesting dimension to this issue, he says, is that the Western countries, while reducing budgets assigned to social welfare, are aggressively studying the family concepts prevalent in south Asian countries, where parents and their children live together all their lives. “But by contrast, we in India are going towards the Western concept of nuclear families and even smaller units. Where does that leave our elders?”

But what he took away from his UN outing was the “inspiration” he felt after meeting people who had been working for the cause of elder care for decades. “Meeting such dedicated people tells you that you are on the right track, and that you still have so much to learn,” Sailesh says.


His own brush with the elderly

In 2004, Sailesh was working with the Dignity Foundation, a time that he says was when he “accidentally came into this field.” He says, “Through the Foundation, I was sent to Neral to help in the building of the elders’ township. I found that getting the architecture changed to be senior citizen-friendly was an uphill task. The architect just couldn’t understand why I wanted land gradients to be gentle, why appliances and cabinets needed to be at eye level, why the fittings and fixtures had to easy to use,” he remembers.

He stayed on as a resident at the township, monitoring its daily working and putting in work at the 24-hour dementia centre there. “I had varied experiences while dealing with sufferers of dementia. Many times, we didn’t know how to deal with them. That set me thinking. Nobody discussed this issue, and there was nothing written about it.” He started writing articles about his experiences, posting them on the Internet. “I think I would have found this cause at some point in my life,” he muses. “I come from a family of 100 people, and we all stayed at a waada at Palghar. But when I was very young, my mother told me, ‘Don’t join in the family business. Do something different with your life. Everybody works for themselves, you should work for others.’”

He finally started Silver Innings and found the inner peace he had been looking for. “I give talks at several places, hold a lot of workshops, travel all over the country. But I never talk about the NGO. That was not why I started it. The focus has to be on the issue, and it is my job to plant the idea in as many people’s minds as I can.”


Engaging the young to help the old

Sailesh is a passionate user of social networking to further his cause, the rationale of which has been questioned by many. “People ask, ‘How many senior citizens use social networking? How will you reach them on the Internet?’ But I am actually targeting the youth and the middle-aged persons in industry. If I can convert them, they will go home and talk to their parents, or devise ways to reach out to the elderly,” he says.

A major problem facing India’s elderly is that their numbers are only set to rise in the coming years. “How are we, as a country, going to accommodate these huge numbers of people? It is time, and it has to be done right away, that the government actively think up ways to utilise this mass of people’s life experience, their working knowledge and their skills. What is the sense in forcing a person to retire at 60 years of age, if he or she is able to work? Also, there is an urgent need for industry to provide services to this huge untapped population. You can have small businesses that deliver cooked meals to elders living alone, or get elders in an area registered with a trusted firm that supplies domestic helps, repair mechanics and others. There is also a need to modify our architecture and infrastructure to become more elder-friendly. Most importantly, we need more old age homes (there are just six in Mumbai) and all of them should be inside the city, not banished to the outskirts.”

Sailesh Mishra can be contacted on silverinnings@gmail.com / sailesh@silverinnings.com. His NGO ' Silver Inning Foundation ' also runs an ageing centre, organises memory camps and runs an elder helpline, among other things.

© 2012 The Metrognome

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

INDIA : Senior Citizens to benefit from 'Celebrating Age' EXPO

Countdown begins for India’s biggest ever active-ageing carnival, the ultimate Retirement Lifestyle Expo 'Celebrating Age' is presented by MetLife India Insurance Company Limited, Associate Sponsor: State Bank Of India (Reverse Mortgage), in association with  International Longevity Centre India ILC-I India’s premier Institute in ageing as Patrons and produced by Vision India, a niche consulting and market analytic firm specializing in show management.  The event will be staged across 8 cites in India for two days each to propagate products, services   opportunities and activities that the elderly can participate to enrich their retirement lives.

“Celebrating Age”! Retirement Expo an active ageing series is being organized from Sept 1 to 21 Oct 2012 (two days in each city) at Bangalore ,Pune, Mumbai, Ahemedabad,  Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad , Delhi. It will be perfect platform for the industry to flourish, to enhance the retirement lifestyle of senior citizens. The challenge is to ensure that the elderly are able to lead a healthy & dignified life ahead. They should have every opportunity to pursue the activities of their choice and be treated with respect and dignity. The elderly form a rich repository of knowledge and experience. 

'Celebrating Age', an active ageing retirement expo is being organised by Vision India in association with the International Longevity Centre India Chapter and supported by the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), the Silver Inning Foundation (SIF) and the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI).

Event Composition includes Grand Inauguration followed by workshop on Qualitative and Healthy Ageing by panel of experts. Two day Exhibition featuring Banking, Insurance and Housing companies. Recruitment Desks. Health & Wellness Counters. Activity Zone, fun and frolic like Tambola, musical chair, live performances, Jaaz Band, Magic, Yoga, and Aerobics. Closing Celebrations on second day.

“Celebrating Age”! India Expo 2012, an active ageing series on Retirement is crafted with an objective of setting the tone where the 21st century ageing populations make useful networks. Profile includes assemblage of lifestyle products and services for those who are looking forward to enjoy the years of retirement in full style and grandeur. The newest products and services will be on showcase for discerning buyers.2012 Retirement expo will be perfect platform for the industry to flourish, to enhance the retirement lifestyle of senior citizens.

Focus: Worldwide ageing populations are recognizing that active ageing marks the emergence of new markets, requires adherence to innovation and inclusive practices. It is expected that the Private sectors and Governments would play an increasingly specific and supportive role to encourage qualitative ageing & productive human talent.

An opportunity exists to tap into the imagination of this potentially significant market given that the 55 + aged may spend 25 to 30 years in retirement. A burst of innovation is expected. Serving this market profitably may require fresh ideas, inclusive approach and new ways of doing business.

The senior community in India presents a tremendous opportunity to service providers and entrepreneurs to innovate on their housing needs and addressing their various lifestyle service and product needs. Seniors are evolving as a mature and serious consumer segment that have needs and wants, which are specific. A significant section of seniors today are independent, financially stable, well-travelled, socially connected, and as a result have well developed thoughts of how they want to spend time after retirement. There is, today, a larger percentage of educated seniors than ever before in India. This demographic, dubbed the active ageing 50+ generation has more wealth to spend and a greater desire for new experiences. 

The challenge is to ensure that the elderly are able to lead a healthy & dignified life ahead. They should have every opportunity to pursue the activities of their choice and be treated with respect and dignity. The elderly form a rich repository of knowledge and experience. 

Unique showcase of an unexplored market poised for growth, addressing trends and tipping points that are accelerating change in consumer attitudes of those aged 50 Plus. This market segment has only touched the tip of the iceberg. 

This Mega event is a pioneering initiative on qualitative ageing and productive human talent. This joint initiative aims to unfold the way forward and take retirement to the next level, thereby setting the tone for the forum, where emerging trends and challenges of the 21st century could reach out through an international network of exhibitions, conferences & entertainment .

You can Join 'Celebrating Age' at  Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/CelebratingAge

You can Follow 'Celebrating Age' at Twitter :

https://twitter.com/CelebratingAge

About : Vision India

Vision India is a fifteen year old organization founded by Janaki Raman. A niche consulting and market analytic firm, with an excellent track record of  designing and developing many National and International projects of high impact to match the needs of technocrats and policy makers on socially relevant subjects. Vision India specializes in educationally focused Trade Fairs and Conferences and creating live forums.

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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.

EUROPE: Proposed reforms in social protection will deepen gender gap in old age income

BRUSSELS, Belgium / AGE Platform Europe / March 7, 2012


International Women’s Day: ‘Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value’

On the eve of International Women’s Day and on the occasion of the EP Interparliamentary Committee meeting on 8 March on ‘Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value’, AGE Platform Europe and the European Women’s Lobby join forces to call for strong measures to meet the needs of older women in light of current reforms in social protection systems particularly with regards to pensions. 

“Calling for equal pay for work of equal value is important but not enough to ensure that women also enjoy equal rights to a fair and decent pension income. The gender pay gap and the gender pension gap are two sides of the same coin, stressed Cécile Gréboval, Secretary General of EWL. We must look at a care credit system which takes into account time spent outside of the labour-market for caring responsibilities for the benefit of the whole of society. Both women and men must be able to be workers and carers at different moments in their lives without being sanctioned in old age”, she said.   

EU leaders are increasingly pushing to align effective retirement age with life expectancy. While most countries are increasing the number of years to contribute to a full pension, little is done to compensate for the career breaks mostly taken by women take to care for dependent relatives.

“With the on-going drastic cuts in subsidised child and eldercare services, the burden of informal care on women will increase and women will face even greater difficulties to build adequate pension rights. This will aggravate the gender gap in old age income”, warned Anne-Sophie Parent, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe, adding “the European Union has a key role in this field and its proposal for legal provisions on carers’ leave at EU level is most needed”.

Older female workers today face additional risks of poverty in old age as a result of the strengthened link between pension contributions and benefits. Unless transitional measures are introduced to avoid blaming these women for the career breaks they took to raise their children when no alternative was available, the gender gap in pensions will increase very severely for these cohorts. 

Another detrimental trend for gender equality is the increasing reliance on supplementary pensions to ensure an adequate replacement rate. This again will lead to a greater risk of poverty in old age if nothing is done to address the discrimination that women suffer in these schemes due to various reasons, including women having lower incomes, labour market segmentation and uncompensated career breaks for time spent out of the labour market caring for dependents. 

Europe's  economic recovery depends on its ability to make the best use of its human capital.  When reforming their employment, pension and care systems, Member States must ensure that all together their systems will contribute to  gender equality for all age groups and empower women to take a more active role in the labour market through age and gender-friendly labour markets and social protection systems.

Source: AGE Platform Europe
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Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights. 
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.