A/81/133 H. Digital and informational exclusion 25. The increasing digitalization of services excludes older women who lack digital access or confidence in managing them. 61 For example, in South Africa, women are around 14% less likely than men to use mobile Internet, with older women facing the highest barriers. 62 The cost of technological devices and Internet services, as well as unreliable connectivity, present further obstacles. 63 26. As a result, many older women are forced to rely on others for technological assistance, which makes them more vulnerable to financial exploitation and coercive control. 64 Online-only reporting mechanisms, abuser control of smartphones and passwords and requirements for digital identification or multi -factor authentication make services inaccessible. 65 Older women might also not know how to find locations that others reach using global positioning systems, be unable to schedule medical appointments online or be excluded from services that require an email address. 66 Similarly, excessive bureaucratization often leaves older women helpless. 67 I. Crises, conflicts and displacement 27. Older women are disproportionately affected by crises and conflicts, as well as their humanitarian consequences. Pre-existing abuses also often grow in scale while public attention is diverted towards the crisis. 68 28. Due to dependency or physical limitations, they often remain in conflict zones 69 or in devastated territories, including areas beyond State control. 70 They may be compelled to assume new or sole caregiving responsibilities, including for their grandchildren. 71 As a result of the aggression by the United States and Israel on the Islamic Republic of Iran 72 and Israeli attacks on Lebanon in 2026, 73 older women face displacement, neglect and the denial of essential medication. 74 29. Tellingly, in situations marked by grave violations of international humanitarian law, many women may be prevented from reaching older age altogether: in Gaza, for example, life expectancy decreased by 29.9 years (38.6%) during the first 12 months of the genocide. 75 30. In crisis settings, the physical symptoms of ageing might be present earlier due to malnutrition, chronic illness, physical exhaustion or trauma exposure. 76 Being a __________________ 61 Submission by BPW NZ. Submission by Media Monitoring Africa. 63 Submission by Université Bourgogne Europe – Centre de recherche sur le droit des marchés et des investissements internationaux (CREDIMI). 64 Joint submission by Open University and others. 65 Submission by Soroptimist International. 66 Submission by The Beehive. 67 Submission by Université catholique d’Afrique centrale. 68 See https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/06/global-emergencies-proliferateolder-persons-must-not-be-left. 69 Submission by Just Access. 70 Submission by Doctoral Clinic Aix Global Justice. 71 Submission by Just Access. 72 See https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2026/04/un-women-statement-on-theimpact-of-the-recent-military-escalation-in-the-middle-east-on-women-and-girls. 73 See https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/amid-protection-crisis-lebanon-unexperts-warn-bombing-civilians-force. 74 Submission by the National Commission for Lebanese Women. 75 See https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02810-1/abstract. 76 Submission by Gem Tigray. 62 8/26 26-09992