Discrimination in old age

Bridget Sleap, HelpAge International

Human Rights Council Social Forum

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Discrimination in old age

Human Rights Council Social Forum

1st April 2014

Other people look down at them or treat them in a humiliating, shameful or degrading way:

Kyrgyzstan: 3%

Mozambique: 51%

Peru: 45%

Not treated with dignity or respect:

Kyrgyzstan: 7%

Mozambique: 47%

Peru: 43%

Ageism: Prejudicial attitudes and detrimental treatment

Discrimination on the basis of old ageAccess to health services: Peru

Discrimination on the basis of old ageRefused a loan because of their age

Discrimination on the basis of old ageRefused work because of their age

Discrimination in old age in Europe

Witnessed or personally experienced discrimination:

•21%: in the workplace or when looking for work

•15%: in health care

•15%: in access to financial services and products 

•11%: in access to education and training

•8%: in leisure or tourism  

Active Ageing Eurobarometer, 26,500 people interviewed, 2012http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_378_fact_uk_en.pdf

Prohibition of discrimination in old age

• All aspects of people’s lives

• Direct

• Indirect

• By association

• Perception

• Accumulative

• Multiple

• Intersectional

• Allow for special measures

International human rights law

•No prohibition on discrimination on the basis of old age or being an older person

•No prohibition on discrimination on the basis of age, except under ICMW

•Relying on “other status” is ineffective

•Multiple, intersectional and accumulative discrimination are not provided for