CSocD63 Advancing Inclusive Social Protection for Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities

On February 12, the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) hosted a webinar titled Advancing Inclusive Social Protection for Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities at the 63rd Commission for Social Development (CSocD63). 

Bridging Gaps in Support Systems

Experts emphasized the importance of integrating formal and informal support systems, particularly for persons with disabilities, who often face exclusion due to poverty, accessibility issues, and limitations of informal work. Dr. Shaun Grech from CBM called for systems that bridge these gaps to provide comprehensive support, drawing from his experience in the Global South. Alexandre Cote from UNICEF also highlighted the low disability benefits coverage in low-income countries, emphasizing the challenges of costly and exclusionary disability assessments, particularly in rural areas. He advocated for digitization and partnerships to improve access and stressed the importance of expanding cash transfers and other support services to address gender disparities in unpaid care.

Intersectionality and Data’s Role in Policy

The compounded vulnerabilities faced by women and girls with disabilities were also a key point of discussion. Silvia Quan from Colectivo Vida Independiente de Guatemala highlighted that these individuals experience multiple layers of exclusion and discrimination, urging for policies that go beyond general frameworks and adopt an intersectional approach, with the active involvement of organizations of older persons and persons with disabilities in policymaking.

Another critical theme discussed by the experts was the role of disaggregated data in shaping policies. Aliye Mosaad from UN DESA’s Programme on Ageing stressed the need for accurate economic indicators, robust data collection, and preventive measures to enhance mobility and safety for older persons. She highlighted the interconnected challenges of aging with disabilities and developing disabilities later in life, stressing the need for inclusive policies and adaptive healthcare systems as everyone faces the risk of developing disabilities as they age.

Policy Frameworks and the Path Ahead

Rose Bukania from Kenya’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection shared efforts to enhance income security for older persons through non-contributory social protection and digital pension systems, calling for greater funding for disability inclusion.

The discussion was linked to the Copenhagen Declaration, with Barbara Adams from the Global Policy Forum, recalling the shift in prioritizing human well-being over economic growth. She reaffirmed the need for a global accountability space to address inequality and emphasized the importance of adopting a human rights framework.

This conversation reinforced the importance of advancing disability-inclusive social protection as a key driver of intergenerational equity. As the world approaches the Second World Summit on Social Development in 2025, these insights provide guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to advance the Copenhagen Declaration and the SDGs.

Source: UN DESA