Eighty-year old, Tilhun Abebe, a campaigner of older people’s rights from Ethiopia said older people all over Africa are waiting for the adoption of the Protocol on the Rights of Older people which has under development for the last 8 years.
“We have been organizing ourselves ready to support the ratification and implementation of the Protocol,”said Abebe. “We very eager to see how the commitments our leaders make on paper are translated into programmes with resources to benefit older people,” he added.
Mr.Abebe who was speaking at a press briefing organized by Ethiopian Elderly and Pensioners National Association (EEPNA) in collaboration with HelpAge international acknowledged that although some have efforts have been done to protect the the rights of older people in Africa, a lot more must be done to ensure older people enjoy a healthy and dignified lives free from all forms of discrimination and abuse.
The Protocol to the African Charter on The Rights of Older People is expected to be tabled and adopted by Africa Heads of State and Government in their 26th Ordinary Summit taking place 30-31st January in Addis, Ababa Ethiopia. The Protocol cover wide range of rights for older people including prohibition of all forms of discrimination against older people, access to justice and equal protection before the law and protection from abuse and harmful traditional practices, among others.
DrPrafulla Mishra – Regional Director of HelpAge International East, West and Central Africa Region said endorsing the Protocol is a clear commitment that African leaders care for their older people and that they want to protect them.
“Our leaders will be telling the world that we care for our older people and we want them to have dignified lives,” he said. “The Protocol sets norms and standards promoting dignity and wellbeing of older people and enable older people to better understand and assert their rights.
Dr. Mishra further urged the media to not only focus on the vulnerabilities of older people but also promote their abilities and contributions to the social and economic development of their countries. He said older people continue to be productive and contribute to the development of their families and communities and thus there is a need to acknowledge that.
Africa has over 60 million people age 60 and above. This number is expected to reach 105 million by 2030, according to UN data.
SOURCE: Jamillah Mwanjisi
The writer is based in Nairobi and is the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at the HelpAge International, East, West and Central Africa
