Pension systems and women’s economic autonomy in old age

Latin American governments have expressed concern about the socioeconomic disadvantages faced by older women —both at sessions of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean and in the framework of the Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC, 2016b and 2017d). The commitments assumed in the agreements adopted by those forums reflect a rights and citizenship approach to the economic security of older persons and views old age as a critical stage of women’s economic autonomy. In that context, social security plays a central role in ensuring that autonomy and for exercising a series of related rights, such as the rights to food, health, leisure and social integration. Social security also has an important part to play in helping the region’s societies achieve gender equality.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Gender Equality

Reduced Inequalities

Sustainable Cities and Communities