Aging in dignity? A webinar on the impact of the crisis in Lebanon on older persons

The Politics of Social Justice in Lebanon: Between Citizenship, Identities, and Compounding Crises

Session 3: Aging in dignity? A webinar on the impact of the crisis in Lebanon on older persons 

13 October 2022, 4:30 pm (Beirut time) 

As part of the Centre for Social Sciences Research & Action’s (CeSSRA) research programme on social justice, this webinar looks at the current challenges and vulnerabilities of elderly people in Lebanon and their reliance on different social protection mechanisms and providers (formal and informal).  
Within the Arab region, Lebanon has the highest percentage of older persons (above the age of 65). This segment of the population currently belongs to the most vulnerable groups in Lebanon, especially due to the lacking safety net in Lebanon and the near collapse of the health system in light of the ongoing economic and financial crisis in the country. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the fragmented and exclusive formal system of social protection in Lebanon does not tackle many of the vulnerabilities of elderly people. Many old people do not have any monthly pension for old-age, nor any insurance in case of disability or death, in addition to shortages in affordable geriatric nursing. They, therefore, mainly rely on informal providers for social protection – such as family members, political parties, or religious institutions. 

This session is part of the webinar series launched by CeSSRA on “The Politics of Social Justice in Lebanon: Between Citizenship, Identities, and Compounding Crises” aimed at analysing the current social protection system and its limitations. It seeks to inform public policy debates, and shift social justice and protection narratives and programmes from charity to a citizen-based approach. 

The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session. 

With: 
Rania Eghnatios (International Labour Organization, ILO)
Maya Abi Chahine (American University of Beirut, AUB) 

The session will be moderated by 
Miriam Younes (CeSSRA)

This webinar will be held in Arabic.

Registration: Register and submit your questions to the panelists: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w6VGBXz1RxagpqP50PR37w