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IFA’s 9^th Global Conference on Ageing

Let us Change the Design of our Society

through Social Participation by Older Women:

Five Proposals for Stronger Influence of Older Women

in the Decision Making Process

September 6, 2008

Keiko Higuchi

President, Women’s Association for a Better Ageing Society

Firstly, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Ms. Irene Hoskins, Co-Chair of this conference, Ms. Jane Barratt, Secretary General of IFA, Ms. Helen Hamlin, UN Representative of IFA, and Ms. Faye Porter of Care Renewal for realizing this WABAS session today. Without their contribution and cooperation, this session would not have existed today. .

Introduction

Since its establishment in 1983, we, the Women’s Association for a Better Ageing Society (WABAS), have been engaged in advocacy from a women’s point of view. At the same time, we have expanded our activities on the local level. Currently, we have about 1000 influential individual members and about 100 regionally associated groups. As a result of our advocacy activities based on our research surveys, we functioned as a driving force in introducing the long-term care insurance scheme, which was an epoch-making insurance to support the welfare of the older people. In May this year, our advocacy campaign led to the enactment of a law to enhance the wage of occupational caregivers. As the government curtailed social welfare spending, many caregivers have left their work because they are unable to make their living.

Today, I do not mean to talk about our achievements. What I would like to say is that the older women’s influence in Japan is still too small in Japan’s rapidly ageing society.

FULL DOCUMENT IS ATTACHED.

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