Age Equality

We fight for equal rights at all ages. We want to ensure that people, no matter their age, can live in dignity. Our work on age equality uses human rights principles and norms to challenge the practices that keep us from living fairly and freely as equals when we are old. 

Credit: Unsplash

The context

Ageism prevents us from living to our full potential and may even affect our health, wellbeing, and life expectancy.  For example, due to age limits we may find ourselves excluded from health treatment, insurance, banking products, training and social support, to name just a few. Ageist prejudices also drive other human rights violations, including poverty, neglect and abuse.

What is ageism?

Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards people on the basis of their age. Institutional ageism refers to the laws, rules, social norms, policies and practices of institutions that unfairly restrict opportunities and systematically disadvantage individuals because of their age. Interpersonal ageism arises in interactions between two or more individuals, while self-directed ageism occurs when ageism is internalised and turned against oneself.

Source: Global Report on Ageism (WHO, 2021)

We all age differently and some of us face combined forms of inequalities based on our age but also gender, ethnic origin, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and others. 

A human rights-based approach is the most appropriate and effective framework to challenge ageism” 
(Report on Ageism and Age Discrimination A/HRC/48/53, 2021)

Our key message

 We aim to change the laws and policies at national, European and international level to ensure they adequately prevent and address all forms of discrimination and rights violations in old age. We strive to increase awareness of how ageism affects our lives and our communities and advocate for policies to mainstream age equality.

We seek to: 

 

Some Figures

0
YEARS OLD

is the age when we start developing ageist stereotypes and beliefs. 

0 %
of people

worldwide (1 in 2 people)  are ageist against older people. (Global Report on Ageism, 2021)

0 %
of Europeans

perceive discrimination due to old age (over 55) as “very” or “fairly” widespread in their country.
(Eurobarometer, 2015)

0
years of life

we gain on average by holding positive attitudes towards older age. 
(Becca Levy et al, 2002 )

Useful links

Key AGE resources on Age Equality

 

European Union 

United Nations

 

Council of Europe

 

Civil Society

Contact

nena

Nena Georgantzi

Human Rights Manager

apolline

Apolline Parel

Human Rights Officer

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Our positions

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The project develops an online game to raise knowledge against ageism and contribute to develop empathy, tolerance and civil society...

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Get involved

Together we can make a difference towards more age equality in Europe. Let’s join our forces!

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