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
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
Older Women’s
Participation in the Policy Making Process in
As to the
National Diet members, almost all political parties, regardless of ruling or
opposition parties, have practically a mandatory retirement age system. For this reason, in spite of the fact that
the average life expectancy is greatly prolonged, the average age of Diet
members is comparatively young. At present,
the rate of older people over 75 years old in the population is 9.9%. Whereas, 13 members of the House of
Representatives are over 75 years old representing a rate of only 2.7%. Out of those 13 members, only one
is a woman.
Currently,
there is a mandatory retirement age system of 60 at a work place, which is
gradually moving toward 65. This applies
to the policy making scenes too including government related committees, local
welfare commissioner’s offices, and even mediation committees of a family
court. They have a mandatory retirement
age system, usually of 70.
I have no
objection at all to seeing that a large part of the political responsibility of
the country is assumed by the younger generations as they have longer future to
live. The older people should not take
their places. The actual political arena
in
Discrimination
is not only age-related but also gender.
Women make up only 9.4% of members of the House of Representatives. This means that gender and age appear
to be counterproductive to women being in decision making situations. As older women have often smaller pension
benefits, assets, and working opportunities, they tend to fall into poverty. If the voices of older women are not
reflected in the policy-making process, a stable society cannot be built. If a
large number of poor older women emerged, it would cause a great burden to the
society.
Five Proposals for Solution
The
purpose of this WABAS session is to learn about the current situations of the
various countries and to exchange opinions on older women’s social
participation.
I would
like to present five proposals that I have in mind.
First: it is a matter of a law system. Although it may be difficult to realize, one of the ideas is to have an age-wise representation system in the House of Councilors at the Japanese Diet. The proportional representation by gender, age, region, occupation, etc. which reflects the Japanese population structure should be considered. More feasible idea is the enactment of a law to “Prohibit Discrimination by Age” that is already studied by the opposition parties. If this law were enforced, the political parties would, at least, have to eliminate the age limit currently imposed on to the new election candidates. The existing age limit to members in the Advisory Committees for the ministries, and other offices would also be officially lifted.
The Japanese government aims to assign women to 30 percent of all supervisory and managerial positions by 2020 in accordance with the Gender Equality Law. When this plan is realized and the new law prohibiting discrimination by age is enforced, women’s political participation would progress to a certain extent.
Second: another
proposed solution is to establish an alternative decision-making organ within
the public system. As far as I know,
Third: is to strengthen the power of
non-governmental organizations related to the older people’s benefits so that
their voices cannot be ignored. A
typical example is AARP in the
Fourth: is to
strengthen and expand the international networks. We, WABAS, organized several international
conferences related to ageing in the past. We are taking part in the IFA
conference for the second time this year.
At this meeting, WABAS is organizing this symposium, and 20 members from
WABAS recently obtained the consultative status of UN
ECOSOC. We plan to attend their meetings
as much as possible to express our opinions. We will send our delegation to CSW
meeting scheduled next March. I hope
that by working together, women will become a force strong enough to move even
the United Nations. The worldwide waves
will certainly change the domestic situation of
Fifth: this is the most informal way – participation in local community and the change from the grassroots level. I believe that the local communities will have new meanings and the important roles to play in the super ageing society. People grow in a local community from their early infancy and are supported by a community in the later days of their lives. Women have already been the main components of the local communities as consumers at shopping areas, and child and elder caregivers, and volunteers of various NGOs. Their contributions, however, are not much appreciated so far. It is necessary and possible for women to positively participate in designing the future of the communities.
Gradually, the number of female local assembly members is increasing. It is noteworthy that among our members, there are one female prefectural governor and three mayors and many assembly representatives. They have great potential to change the society through their activities in the local communities.
I have presented the above five proposals to increase the older women’s political influence. I hope my presentation may trigger discussions among people concerned.
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