The International Day of Older Persons creates an opportunity to recognize the contributions of elderly citizens, who are often excluded or marginalized from participation in society as well as mainstream discourse. Populations around the world are ageing at an exponential pace; it has been projected that the number of older persons worldwide will more than double in the next few decades, exceeding 1.5 billion persons in 2050. It is thus critical to create an enabling and healthy environment to ensure that every human being, irrespective of age, is able to fulfill their potential with dignity and equality.
The year 2020 marks the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons as well as the initiation of the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030)- geared towards promoting concerted, catalytic and collaborative action to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live. This includes increasing awareness and fostering discussions around the five strategic objectives of the UN Global Strategy and Action plan on Ageing and Health, which is integrated with the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year has also seen the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, that has caused widespread social, political and economic upheaval across the world. The World Health Assembly has designated 2020 as the International “Year of the Nurse and the Midwife” in order to highlight the integral role of the health care workforce in contributing to the health of older persons, with special recognition of the nursing profession, and a primary focus on the role of women - who are relatively undervalued and in most cases inadequately compensated.
The Ministry of Human Rights is committed to protecting and promoting the rights of Senior Citizens in Pakistan. In fact, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, MoHR placed an emphasis on policy and programmatic interventions targeted towards raising awareness of the special needs and specific vulnerabilities of the elderly, with advice and guidelines for ensuring their protection, safety, comfort, and well-being.
Speaking on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari said, “It is essential that the elderly are treated with respect and dignity. MoHR has drafted the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Bill 2020, which is currently with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights. The law will institute essential protections to ensure that the elderly can live a meaningful life, and to limit barriers that prevent their full participation in society.”
The Draft Bill builds upon on a rights-based approach, focusing on ensuring adequate living standards and social protections for the elderly. The law also proposes the establishment of a Senior Citizen’s Council, which will work towards ensuring that senior citizens are given priority in hospitals and medical facilities. A Senior Citizen’s Fund for the protection of the rights of senior citizens will also be established under this law. Three provincial governments including Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have already enacted legislations for the senior citizens.
Moreover, Federal Secretary for Human Rights, Rabiya Javeri Agha said, “Rather than being perceived and treated as a burden to society, it is important to create an enabling environment for senior citizens to age with grace, dignity and opportunities to live a meaningful life. The Ministry of Human Rights recognizes the importance of raising awareness of the special needs of older persons, as well as their contributions to the functioning of the societies in which they live. Legislative, policy and awareness interventions have the power to impact societal behaviour and attitudes, which can ensure that the elderly are able to fulfil their potential in dignity and equality.
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