Resolution 42/4. Older women and support systems: and caregiving* gender The Commission on the Status of Women, Aware that gender difference in life expectancy rises with age and that therefore two thirds of the very old are women, Aware also that, traditionally, women are relied upon as caregivers at all ages and that they make an essential but often unrecognized and unremunerated contribution to society and the economy, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on older women and support systems: new challenges,59 based on the report and recommendations of the Expert Group Meeting on Caregiving and Older Persons: Gender Dimensions, held in Malta from 30 November to 2 December 1997, which underscored that: (a) Changes in the traditional support systems affect women and men differently; (b) persons; Urbanization has weakened the traditional support systems for older (c) There are growing numbers of women who, as the primary caretakers, are entering the labour market; (d) Because women live longer than men, they are more likely than men to live alone in old age: in most countries, widows outnumber widowers; (e) Older women are more likely than men to be poor; (f) Older women face a higher risk of chronic illness and disability; female advantage in life expectancy is often offset by disability; (g) Older women’s contributions to the well-being of their families, communities and the economy are widely overlooked, 1. General; Takes note of the recommendations made in the report of the Secretary- 2. Invites Member States to consider implementing, at the national level, as appropriate, the recommendations contained in the annex to the present resolution, which are based on the report of the Secretary-General and the views expressed in the Commission by Member States; 3. Requests the Secretary-General to take into account these recommendations when preparing his report to the Commission at its forty-third session, as requested in its resolution 41/2, on key global issues regarding the differential impact of population ageing on men and women. * For the discussion, see chap. III, paras. 58-59. 59 E/CN.6/1998/4. -39-