Overview

This advocacy brief explores some areas where ageism intersects with gender-based discrimination. The gendered nature of aging plays an important role in shaping the lives of older persons. While both women and men experience ageism when they get older, women experience aging and its impact differently. Gender-based discrimination and inequalities are exacerbated at older ages, with these inequalities emerging from gendered stereotypes deeply rooted in cultural and social norms. The combination of ageism and sexism has a unique and aggravating effect on discrimination and inequality. The situation, challenges, opportunities, and diversity of older women in our societies are often overlooked in discussions concerning women and gender and, to some degree, in those devoted to older persons. This brief seeks to spark a conversation among relevant stakeholders on how to better integrate old age and gender perspectives in policymaking.