WUNRN
IFA’s 9th
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
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Thank you.