Older People Forum Launched in Peshawar to Amplify Older Women's Voices, Advance Aging Rights

A district-level Older People Forum has been established in Peshawar, creating a platform for older women and men to raise concerns, influence decisions and advocate for more responsive policies and services.

The initiative, facilitated by the organisation Blue Veins, places a strong focus on strengthening the leadership and participation of older women within the forum. It brings together older residents of the district to discuss issues relevant to aging populations.

The forum is intended to amplify the voices of older people in local decision-making processes, an area often underrepresented in broader civic and policy discussions. By focusing specifically on older women's participation, the initiative aims to address gaps in how aging-related concerns are typically represented.

Community-led forums of this kind are increasingly used in the region as a mechanism for connecting marginalised groups with local authorities and service providers, offering a structured channel for advocacy on issues such as healthcare access, social support and age-related rights.