THE WORLD STOPS FOR GAZA
No work, No school

7^th April 2025

Bangladesh students join global campaign in solidarity with Palestine

 

Educational institutions across Bangladesh are observing an academic and administrative shutdown as students protest Israel’s continued attacks on Palestine. Several student organizations have also announced protest rallies and marches to take place later in the day.

The "No work, no school" campaign began on Monday after student groups and general students declared they would boycott classes and exams in solidarity with global protests, including those in New York, against Israeli aggression in Gaza. Many educational institutions have since voiced their support for the initiative.

From around 10am, students and staff in Dhaka and other parts of the country gathered on their campuses, chanting slogans and holding demonstrations.

In a show of support for the global student movement protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza, The Volunteers (Students) of Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society has joined the global campaign on the 7^th April 2025 in solidarity with Palestine.

    

 

Beijing +30: Upholding Commitments in Section J on

“Women and the Media”

  

  

Global Alliance on Media & Gender (GAMAG), March 3, 2025.  Communication rights – particularly those of women and marginalized groups – are under severe threat worldwide.

This year, 2025, marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action.  Section J of this landmark gender policy blueprint enshrined commitments to increase women’s participation in media decision-making, promote balanced and non-stereotypical portrayals of women, and ensure women’s access to and use of communication technologies.

Commitments made in Beijing are under attack. One driver is the rise of far-right governments and conservative movements across the globe, offline and online. A second is the increasing hostility towards gender equality evident in statements and actions by the current political administration in the United States of America. Nation states, the private sector and other entities are backpedaling on promises to advance and uphold women’s rights and gender equality. Action to address the escalating threats is urgently required.

There is clear evidence of a systematic erasure of the right to freedom of expression of many groups, including women and critical media and civil society leaders. Fear of funding cuts and attacks by emboldened hate groups are forcing many into self-censorship. Organizational communication and websites are being sanitized of language on equality and human rights, among other social justice concerns. Misogyny is gaining traction as progress on equality is rolled back. Abrupt cuts in development funding have dire consequences for women’s rights programs around the world, including initiatives to advance communication rights.

The inclusion of gender equality in media policies, self-regulation and legislation remains weak across most countries despite the commitments made in Beijing three decades ago. In view of recent political developments across the world, including and especially in the USA, media in many places are now expected to abandon gender equity language and goals. This may well mean making the challenge of uprooting sexist stereotypes in media portrayal of women even more difficult than it is at present. It may mean less coverage of violations of women’s rights and gender equality.  Barriers to success in implementing the Beijing commitments relevant to media are numerous, including a growing gender digital divide within and across countries, the unchecked spread of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, male dominance in media ownership and leadership, as well as gender biases in the constantly evolving communication technologies, with Artificial Intelligence being the latest in the series.

If the current status quo is left unchallenged, the likely outcomes are clear: 30 years after Beijing, progress towards gender equality will be reversed. The clock will turn back on advancement towards fair and balanced media representation free of sexist stereotypes, equality in media decision-making, freedom of expression and equitable participation in information and communication technologies, as well as a guaranteed life free of violence for women in the digital space.

It is therefore important to urgently reaffirm and underline the importance of Section J, and to defend the principles enshrined in it.

We call on individuals, organizations, and governments to: 

      i.         Ensure that women-led civil society organizations have the resources and support they need to continue their work. 

    ii.         Resist the erasure of gender equality and equity language from public discourse and hold media accountable for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

  iii.         Defend media freedom and the rights of journalists, particularly women, to work without fear of retaliation.

   iv.         Speak out against policies and decisions that threaten women’s rights and freedom of expression everywhere and across all media. 

In solidarity with Global Alliance on Media & Gender (GAMAG), Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society has signed this Statement on March, 2025.

 

    

       

  

                      

The 5th ASEM Forum on the

Human Rights of Older Persons: Present and Future

Unmasking Ageism: Cultural Realities, Systemic Barriers, and the Case for Change

 

20 August 2025

Somerset Palace Seoul, Republic of Korea

Co-organized by ASEM Global Ageing Center (AGAC),

National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), and

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea

 

Overview

The 5th ASEM Forum on the Human Rights of Older Persons, under the theme “Unmasking Ageism: Cultural Realities, Systemic Barriers, and the Case for Change,” seeks to foster cross- regional dialogue to deepen understanding of ageism and its root causes. It also aims to share practical insights, policy innovation, and foster shifts in social attitudes and perceptions toward ageing. Through three thematic sessions, the forum will explore the historical and normative origins of ageism, present tools and data to assess its ramifications across key sectors, and highlight practical strategies to advance an age-inclusive society.

 

Background

As global populations experience unprecedented increases in longevity, the average life expectancy worldwide reached 73.3 years in 2024. Projections indicate that by 2054, the proportion of individuals aged 65 and over will nearly double – from 17 percent to 33 percent.

While this demographic transformation is frequently framed as one of the most pressing challenges confronting contemporary societies, it also constitutes a profound testament to human progress – reflecting advances in public health, medical science, and socioeconomic development. Ageing should not be understood solely as a demographic phenomenon; rather, it is a universal and continuous process that encapsulates the complexity and heterogeneity of human life. It is shaped by cultural norms, social values, and institutional structures, and it intersects with fundamental principles of equity, justice, and human rights. The critical question is not the fact of ageing itself, but how societies conceptualize and engage with the ageing process. The term ageism, first introduced in 1969 by Robert N. Butler - renowned as a pioneer in the field of gerontology - denotes a dual construct: (1) a socially produced set of negative attitudes, stereotypes, and assumptions about older persons and the ageing process; and (2) a structural predisposition to design policies, environments, and institutions around a presumed norm of youthfulness, thereby systematically marginalizing the needs and contributions of older populations. Ageism manifests in attitudinal, behavioral, and institutional forms. Despite its pervasiveness, it remains one of the most insidious and under recognized forms of systematic bias in both global and local contexts. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Report on Ageism (2021) reveals that nearly half of the global population holds ageist attitudes. These attitudes have measurable impacts on the health, well-being, and safety of older persons. Ageism increases the risk of exclusion, neglect, and abuse, thereby generating substantial social and economic costs. In this regard, tackling ageism is central to ensuring not only the recognition but the fulfillment of rights, dignity, and participation for people of all ages. The global health crisis of COVID-19 pandemic brought structural ageism into sharp relief. In many countries, assumptions about older persons’ vulnerability led to discriminatory practices. In Asia, public health measures such as self-isolation guidelines and mobility restrictions—though well-intentioned and rooted in cultural norms of protection—often undermined older persons’ autonomy and exacerbated their isolation. In Europe, age-based triage protocols revealed explicit and disturbing forms of age discrimination. Surveys show that one in three Europeans experienced age-based discrimination during the pandemic, with Eastern Europe demonstrating higher rates than other parts of the region. The hashtag #Boomer Remover starkly illustrates the ageist narratives that emerged during this time. These examples highlight how crises can intensify existing prejudices—demonstrating the urgent need for inclusive, age-conscious discourse that challenge structural bias and safeguards the dignity of older persons in times of crisis. Ageism has become a defining issue of our time, demanding urgent global attention. Over the past decades, global discourse on ageing has shifted from viewing older persons primarily as recipients of welfare to recognizing them as full rights-holders. This transformation was driven in part by the growing visibility of structural age-based exclusion across employment, healthcare, and legal systems, and was formalized through major international milestones.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits to “leaving no one behind,” explicitly including older persons. Both the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) call for structural reforms to ensure full inclusion and participation. The WHO’s Report on Ageing and Health (2016) and Global Report on

Ageism (2021) jointly identify ageism as a global barrier to health and dignity, calling for action through law, education, and intergenerational contact interventions. Moreover, the recent development of the WHO Ageism Scale, a tool designed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing ageism, further underscores the importance of an evidence- based approach. In parallel, the UN Human Rights Council emphasized that older persons have historically remained at the margins of international human rights frameworks, prompting the appointment of a dedicated Independent Expert.

 

At the cultural and regional levels, rapid population ageing has also triggered a shift in how ageism is understood and discussed. East Asian societies, often shaped by Confucian traditions that emphasize respect for elders, are no exception. Despite enduring cultural values such as filial piety, rapid demographic change, urbanization, and the breakdown of extended family structures have exposed new forms of marginalization affecting older persons. These developments challenge the assumption that collectivist cultures tend to be inherently resistant to ageism and highlight the need for more context-sensitive, cross- cultural approaches to understanding its roots and persistence. To effectively address ageism, it must be recognized as a multidimensional phenomenon that shapes how individuals experience ageing throughout their lives. Ageism intersects with other forms of inequality, such as those based on gender, disability, or socioeconomic status. These intersections are not static; they accumulate and compound, shaping each person’s experience of ageing in unique and unequal ways. Given this complexity, ageism must be examined through an intersectional and life-course lens—one that examines how structural inequalities and personal histories converge across the lifespan. Only through such a multidimensional approach can we develop truly inclusive policies and narratives that respect the diversity of ageing experiences.

Building on the recognition of ageism’s complexity, a shift toward rights-based and age- inclusive frameworks is essential to drive meaningful and lasting reform. This shift entails reframing public discourse, reforming institutional structures, and embedding age sensitivity across all levels of governance. Rather than settling for symbolic gestures of inclusion, efforts must aim for structural transformation that fully realizes and upholds the human rights of older persons.

Importantly, ageism affects not only today’s older persons but individuals of all ages, shaping how we perceive ageing and envision our future selves. It influences societal norms, institutional practices, and personal expectations throughout the life course. Challenging ageism, therefore, is not only a matter of justice for older persons; it is a long-term investment in creating societies where everyone can thrive at every stage of life. A rights-based, age-inclusive approach is not merely a policy option; it is a societal imperative. It requires reframing public discourse, reforming institutions, and embedding age-sensitivity into governance at every level. In this broader context, ASEM Global Ageing Center (AGAC) serves as a regional connector, policy catalyst, and collaborative platform. AGAC fosters dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe to advance rights-based and age-inclusive approaches. It supports governments and stakeholders in mainstreaming age-sensitive perspectives, challenging negative stereotypes, and fostering a more empowering and positive vision for ageing. To further this mission, AGAC is convening the 5th ASEM Forum on the Human Rights of Older Persons: Present and Future, under the theme “Unmasking Ageism: Cultural Realities, Systemic Barriers, and the Case for Change.” The theme highlights the Forum’s commitment to bring to light the often-overlooked nature of ageism—exposing how it is woven into cultural narratives, institutional frameworks, and policy structures across societies. At a time when ageism continues to shape policies, perceptions, and lived experiences worldwide, challenging its hold is both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity. In response to this critical challenge, the Forum offers a vital platform for cross-regional dialogue—enabling stakeholders to exchange insights, confront entrenched challenges, and co-develop strategies that are culturally rooted yet anchored in universal principles. By connecting normative, institutional, and lived dimensions of ageing, the Forum advances a shared vision: to build inclusive societies in which older persons are not left behind, but recognized as essential contributors to social cohesion, development, and shared prosperity.

 

Session Details

 

The Forum will be structured around three interrelated sessions, each addressing a key dimension of ageism. Each session will be moderated and will feature three presentations, followed by a professional panel discussion (with one to two panelists) and an open Q&A segment.

 

Session 1. Understanding Ageism across Cultures: Historical, Normative, and Rights-based Perspectives This session explores how ageism has evolved as a deeply rooted form of social bias—shaped over time by historical transformations, cultural narratives, and institutional norms across different societies. Drawing on comparative perspectives from Asia and Europe, it examines how perceptions of ageing have shifted—from roles of respect and authority to experiences of marginalization and dependency—under the influence of industrialization, modernization, and changing family structures. The session also investigates how ageism takes distinct forms across regional contexts, reflecting tensions between traditional values and evolving socio- economic realities. By analyzing both philosophical and legal dimensions of age-based discrimination, it highlights the importance of culturally sensitive, rights-based responses and calls for a reframing of public discourse and policy to promote more age-inclusive societies.

 

Session 2. Evidence-based Approach to Ageism: Global Evidence and Sectoral Realities in Health Care and Employment Building on the cultural and structural roots of ageism explored in Session 1, this session underscores the growing need for reliable tools to measure ageism and assess its impact across societies. Drawing on recent advances—most notably the launch of the WHO Ageism Scale in 2025—it emphasizes the value of evidence-based approaches to understanding how age-based bias operates across different levels and settings. With a particular focus on the health and employment sectors, participants will examine how both structural and implicit forms of ageism affect older persons’ access to care, autonomy in the workplace, and broader socioeconomic inclusion. By exploring region-specific data and comparative insights from Asia and Europe, the session aims to identify pathways for translating measurement into actionable, age-inclusive policy action.

 

Session 3. From Awareness to Action: Strategies for Combatting Ageism Building on the insights from previous sessions, this discussion will explore how increasing awareness of ageism can be translated into effective and sustainable action. Framed by global efforts such as the Decade of Healthy Ageing and guided by the WHO Global Report on Ageism (2021), the session will examine three key pathways for change: policy and legal reform, educational initiatives, and intergenerational engagement. Participants will share good practices, legislative models, and public engagement strategies that have proven effective across diverse cultural and institutional contexts. The session will also identify opportunities to advance collaborative action at the ASEM level, with the aim of fostering rights-based, age- inclusive societies across Asia and Europe.

 

The Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society was joined the 5th ASEM Forum on the Human Rights of Older Persons virtually to actively engage in cross-regional dialogue on ageism and its underlying causes. By participating, the Society aims to contribute to the exchange of practical insights and policy innovations, enhance its understanding of the historical and systemic factors shaping age-related discrimination, and explore effective strategies for promoting an inclusive society. This virtual participation also allows the Society to collaborate with international stakeholders, strengthen advocacy efforts, and support the advancement of human rights for older persons globally.

For more information on the Forum, please visit the Website at http://www.asemgac.org/

 

 

 

 

URGENT APPEAL TO STOP RATION CUTS & ENSURE

ADEQUATE FOOD SUPPORT FOR ROHINGYA COMMUNITY

 

 

As of March 5, 2025, the World Food Programme announced a drastic reduction in monthly food rations for Rohingya refugees, cutting the amount from $12.50 to $6 per person due to ongoing funding shortages. This reduction comes at a time when the aid provided is already insufficient. In 2024, Bangladesh had a 57% funding gap to address humanitarian needs. This threatens to worsen hunger and malnutrition among over a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, who are living in highly challenging conditions, vulnerable to natural disasters and other shocks and hazards. They are entirely reliant on humanitarian aid for their basic needs, as Rohingya are not permitted to work legally and even barred from leaving the barbed-wire-enclosed camps.

 

UNICEF reports a 25% surge in severe acute malnutrition cases in Cox’s Bazar in January 2025 compared to January 2024. This increased to 27% in February 2025, marking the highest malnutrition levels since the massive displacement in 2017. At the start of 2025, UNICEF projected that 14,200 children in the Rohingya refugee camps would face severe acute malnutrition this year. Children suffering from this condition are 11 times more likely to die than well-nourished children if they do not receive timely intervention. The current situation, including ongoing reductions in food rations could significantly increase this number. With malnutrition rising at such an alarming rate, sustained humanitarian support is not optional—it is essential. Already in 2023, WFP was forced to reduce rations from $12 to $8 per person per month due to severe funding constraints, leading to a sharp decline in food consumption. While rations were later increased with additional funding, this new significant cut—particularly for a population that remains among the most vulnerable globally, without legal status, access to sustainable livelihoods, and often the first to face aid reductions—will further deepen food insecurity, increase malnutrition, heighten health risks, and create social instability within the already overcrowded camps, exacerbating human rights violations. Both in Bangladesh and globally, the Rohingya refugees are enduring unimaginable hardships, fleeing persecution and violence in their homeland. Access to adequate food is not just a basic necessity but a fundamental human right, for all. The international community has a responsibility to ensure their food security, uphold their dignity, and protect their rights as enshrined in global human rights frameworks.

Demands of the Petition

1. We urge the United Nations World Food Program to uphold the full range of human rights for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

2. We call on the United Nations to address the funding gap of the WFP to restore full food rations and essential services for the Rohingya refugees, we appeal for the development of short and long-term comprehensive funding commitments to meet the food and nutrition needs of the Rohingyas until a safe and dignified repatriation to their homeland is possible.

We trust in your leadership to galvanize global support and address this critical humanitarian crisis.

"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

 

 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 Article 25(1)

As on 13 March, 2025 Petition Appealed By: Bangladesh Food Security Network- KHANI to H.E Mr. António Guterres Secretary-General United Nations New York, NY 10017; United States  and Copy to : Dr. Muhammad Yunus; Honorable Chief Adviser of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Cindy H. McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme

 

In solidarity with, Bangladesh Food Security Network- KHANI, Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society has signed the petition.

 

LINK OF THE SIGNED PETITION:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/13f_5kNbUnFK9tWnYoEScDDhNCaqttokv/view?usp=sharing

 

 

 

Understanding PMNCH Partner Needs in a Time of Global Disruption

PMNCH Partner Survey 2025

By 17 September, 2025

 

In light of growing geopolitical instability, funding constraints, and increasing pushback against sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH) more broadly, PMNCH is seeking to better understand how these intersecting issues are impacting your organization, one of our 1,500+ partners, and your advocacy and accountability efforts . This short survey is to seek feedback from PMNCH members and will inform our collective action to uphold WCAH in times of crisis.

 

PMNCH are all mindful of the incredibly challenging fiscal and geopolitical environment which development and public health organizations are facing.  Resources are uncertain and the policy environment is becoming increasingly contested, therefore compounding challenges at global, regional, national levels.  PMNCH have therefore developed a partner survey to better understand the individual challenges our partner organizations are facing, so that PMNCH can identify ways of supporting partners most effectively, enabling us all to deliver on women’s, children’s and adolescents health and well-being.

Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society has participated in the PMNCH partner survey, because it’s a valuable opportunity to make our voice heard and ensure our organization’s realities and challenges are understood at the global level.  It’s a chance to contribute to a collective response that is informed, inclusive, and grounded in the experiences of those working on the frontlines.

 

The survey can be found here,

 

 

Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) invite all members to vote in a quick online poll to help the Steering Group decide on a new slogan for global rally February, 2026

 

Established in 2011, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People was born out of the need to strengthen the rights and voice of older people globally.

Today, GAROP is a network of over 400 members worldwide, united in our work to strengthen and promote the rights of older persons. Our mission is to support and enhance civil society engagement with Member States and National Human Rights Institutions at national, regional and international levels around a convention on the rights of older persons.

 

Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) is planning to organize another Global Rally as part of our Age With Rights campaign.

The next Global Rally will be held between 1^st-7^th February 2026 just ahead of the first organizational meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) that will draft a new UN convention. 

GAROP’s previous Global Rally campaigns have mobilized thousands of people, created vital momentum and profile at key advocacy moments, and helped build political will for our cause. GAROP encourages to plan what activities partner organization may be able to organize in support of the Rally in February.

Agreeing a new campaign slogan The GAROP Steering Group has been discussing a new campaign slogan to accompany 'Age with Rights', but to focus specifically on raising awareness and support for the upcoming UN convention drafting process.

Ideally the new slogan would capture both the need for a strong UN convention text alongside the importance of the meaningful participation of older persons and having an equal seat at the table. The slogan should also ideally be easy to translate.

The Steering Group considered a longer list of options and has shortlisted three, each with different strengths.

Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People welcome members' input to this process and invite us as a member to respond to the online voting poll and in solidarity with GAROP, Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society has voted the poll for a new campaign slogan.  

 

UNGC Stakeholder Survey

The United Nations Global Compact send an invitation on Mar 7, 2025 with the support of the Boston Consulting Group, is undertaking a strategic planning process to shape our five-year strategy for the period 2026–2030. As part of this effort, The United Nations Global Compact seeking valuable insights from all stakeholders to help guide their priorities and actions.

The link of the survey: Stakeholder Survey vF

 

 

 

Soil Filling for Community Road Development in

Residential Housing Complex

The soil filling work involves utilizing excess excavated earth generated from construction activities within the residential housing complex for the improvement of the adjacent community road. The process ensures sustainable reuse of available resources while contributing to local infrastructure development.

The scope of work includes:

• Collection and Transportation: Excavated soil is collected and transported to the designated community road area using dump trucks or other suitable vehicles.
• Spreading and Leveling: The soil is evenly spread along the identified stretch of the community road to raise and strengthen the existing surface. Proper grading is carried out to maintain uniform levels and ensure adequate drainage.
• Compaction: Mechanical compaction is performed in layers to increase soil stability, minimize settlement, and provide a solid base for future surfacing or road enhancements.
• Finishing: The filled surface is trimmed and dressed to the required slope and camber, ensuring smooth alignment with the existing road.

This initiative not only enhances connectivity for the surrounding community but also reduces construction waste by repurposing soil on-site. It provides a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution that benefits both the housing complex and neighboring residents.