ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2026/Factsheet.2
Country: Arab region, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Kingdom of Bahrain, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, State of Kuwait, Lebanese Republic, Kingdom of Morocco, Sultanate of Oman, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Federal Republic of Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Inclusive development, Population dynamics & migration
Initiatives: Older persons, Reducing inequalities
SDGs: Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Keywords: Access to information, Adult education, Ageing persons, Algeria, Arab countries, Bahrain, Basic services, Care of ageing persons, Egypt, Empowerment, Gender-based violence, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Laws and regulations, Lebanon, Morocco, Old age benefits, Oman, Qatar, Saudi arabia, Social security, Somalia, State of palestine, Syrian arab republic, United arab emirates, Women in development, Women's education, Women's health, Women's status
Status of older women in the Arab region: an analytical reading in the light of national reviews of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action +30
June 2026
The present brief highlights the status of older women in the Arab region 30 years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, based on national reviews submitted in 2025 by 19 Arab countries. It presents progress in legislation, strategies and measures, grounded in the pillars of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, namely participating in development, advancing health and well-being, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The findings show varying levels of legislative and institutional progress across countries, including the enactment of national legislation on the rights of older persons, the adoption of strategies to improve their quality of life, and the use of digital tools to facilitate access to essential services. However, this progress remains insufficient to address the discrimination faced by older women. Significant gaps persist in social protection, access to comprehensive healthcare, participation in development processes, and protection against violence and abuse.
The brief concludes that prevailing approaches still tend towards a service-oriented rather than a rights-based approach, limiting the effectiveness of responses. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive, rights-based and life-cycle policies to empower older women, protect them from discrimination, and ensure their sustainable well-being.
Related content
Inclusive development, Population dynamics & migration
The present brief highlights the status of older women in the Arab region 30 years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, based on national reviews submitted in 2025 by 19 Arab countries. It presents progress in legislation, strategies and measures, grounded in the pillars of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, namely participating in development, advancing health and well-being, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The findings show varying levels of legislative and institutional progress across countries, including the enactment of national legislation on the rights of older persons, the adoption of strategies to improve their quality of life, and the use of digital tools to facilitate access to essential services. However, this progress remains insufficient to address the discrimination faced by older women. Significant gaps persist in social protection, access to comprehensive healthcare, participation in development processes, and protection against violence and abuse.
The brief concludes that prevailing approaches still tend towards a service-oriented rather than a rights-based approach, limiting the effectiveness of responses. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive, rights-based and life-cycle policies to empower older women, protect them from discrimination, and ensure their sustainable well-being.
