The objective of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) was the elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence against older persons (MIPAA, 2002).

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), together with its focal point on ageing in the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD), began a discussion based on current research, available data and the terminology used in academic circles to describe and classify violence and abuse against older women. The majority of academic research and discourse has been conducted in developed countries, and agreement on terminology and meanings has—by no means—been clear or agreed.…

UNDESA-DSPD, from 8 August to 5 September 2012, conducted a global online survey to gather inputs for consideration by the 51st session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD), which took place from 6 to 15 February 2013.

The survey enabled the public worldwide to respond to a set of questions that were related to the priority theme of CSocD on “Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all”.

The responses collected and selected from the first question “Empowerment: What does it mean to you?” was published in a separate booklet.