Sylvia Beales, member of the Core Team of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) participated as a speaker in the Human Rights Council 63rd Session side event “Women on the Move: Gender Equality, Labour Migration & the Right to Development”, held on 30 September 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The event brought together experts and human rights advocates to discuss the intersections of gender equality, labour migration and the right to development. The event was coorganized by Qatar Centre for Peace and Democracy (QCPD), Action for Human Rights and World Issues (AFRIW) and the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR).
In her contribution, Sylvia addressed the intersection of gender, age, migration and the care economy, highlighting the importance of ensuring universal access to social protection throughout the life course.
She drew attention to the multiple challenges faced by older women, including income inequality, old-age poverty, food insecurity, gender-based violence and inadequate social protection. She also highlighted the situation of older migrant women, who are often concentrated in low-paid and informal sectors, face weak labour protections and encounter barriers to accessing healthcare and income security.
Sylvia stressed that universal social protection is a fundamental human right and called for the prioritisation of social protection floors, supported by sustainable financing, stronger political commitment and the meaningful participation of older women in decision-making processes.
Read Sylvia Beales' full statement here.
