The resilience and contribution of older women to be marked

Ōtepoti - International Day of Older People on October 1 each year is a day to commemorate older people highlighting the value of all older people and to promote dignity and respect.

This year the United Nations theme is the resilience and contributions of older women.

The world has just seen the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who embodied this theme and will be remembered for her contribution, resilience, and service.

Age Concern New Zealand wants all New Zealanders to take a moment to remember and celebrate the resilience and contributions of older women in their own lives”

Kiwis We need to celebrate our older women who can often be invisible and disregarded.

In Aotearoa New Zealanders have so many examples of resilient women and the contributions they make in all facets of our society.

Older women have stood up across our political, business and community sectors to make Aotearoa a better place to live.

But women still face discrimination as well as negative stereotypes that combine ageism and sexism and we need to change that, Age Concern NZ says.

UN figures based on a survey of 83,034 people in 57 countries found one in every two people held moderately or highly ageist attitudes.

This year, Age Concern New Zealand will mark this special day with the inaugural Huia Awards on October 3. The three winners all have demonstrated resilience and are leaders that embody the values and rights of older people.

Age Concern NZ wants Kiwis to:

· Reject stereotypes and focus on the uniqueness of every individual

· Speak up when they hear people speaking negatively about growing old

· Have the courage to question practices they feel are disrespectful to older people

· Not patronise older people

· Be patient, polite and friendly

· Have zero tolerance for abuse or neglect

· Build relationships – that combat isolation