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IFA’s 9^th 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 Japan is still too small in Japan’s rapidly ageing society.

Older Women’s Participation in the Policy Making Process in Japan

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 Japan, however, severely deprives the older people’s opportunities to represent themselves. The reasons for older people to participate in the policy making process are: 1) older people are the top runners of the first generation to live a century-long life in the ageing society which no one ever experienced before; 2) only older people know what they have experienced at their old age; 3) older people as consumers themselves; and 4) older people’s rich knowledge and experiences should be used more effectively.

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, California and some other states in the United States organize senior citizens’ assemblies. When a state assembly is not in session, the “delegates” elected by older person’s organizations deliberate bills or make proposals on matters which are closely related to the older people. This is the information gained ten years ago. I would like to ask participants to share the information on any new developments.

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 United States. The Grey Panther is another example to be very influential. The Age Concern in Great Britain, which is little different in character, is also watched by Japanese people. Our organization, WABAS, has a certain level of social recognition, but its influence over the society still needs to be strengthened.

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 Japan are here among audience.

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 Japan and of other countries.

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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