The Charter, which launched in March 2022 as a collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Age-friendly Sheffield, is designed to help people get better at talking about sexuality so they can get the support they need, and services are guided on how to provide that support.
Research has found that older adults are more likely to face discrimination when it comes to their sexuality, such as not having sexual issues taken seriously by medical professionals. Participants who took part in the study to help create the Charter said they often felt embarrassed or prevented from talking about these issues, despite sexuality being a vital part of their health and wellness.
The Charter aims to break down these barriers, by offering guidance to GPs, health care professionals, service providers and the community to develop inclusive practices and policies and give people the confidence to start these conversations.
The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing brings together programmes like the Sexual Rights Charter that are improving the lives of older people worldwide, such as by combating ageism, creating age-friendly spaces, improving long-term care, and sharing the experiences of older people. The 2021-2023 report highlights the positive contributions that have been made in this area by Member States, UN agencies, academia, the private sector and local communities, over the past three years.
Professor Sharron Hinchliff, lead researcher on the project and Professor of Psychology and Health at the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, said:
“We are delighted that the Sexual Rights Charter has been selected as a case study for the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing Progress Report, alongside so many other meaningful projects. The featured case studies demonstrate the action being taken to achieve the UN’s goal of making the world a better place to grow old.
For our part, we know that many older adults view sexual activity, intimacy, and identity as an integral part of their lives. But scientific and anecdotal evidence tells us that the sexual rights of older adults are rarely met. One of the main reasons is because sexuality and ageing is seen as a taboo topic; it is little spoken about and surrounded by myths and misinformation.
Professor Sharron Hinchliff
Professor of Psychology and Health at the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery
"It was a privilege to work with Age-friendly Sheffield and older adults to address this challenge, by legitimising the topic of conversation and providing guidance for professionals to use.”
For more information about how to use the Charter, and to access all the Charter documents, visit agesexandrights.com.
The Progress Report on the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, 2021-2023, can be downloaded for free from the World Health Organization website.