WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS?

By Stella Nsubuga

On December 14, 1990, according to Resolution 45/106, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. It has been observed annually throughout the world since 1991, when it was celebrated for the first time. One thing to note, however, is that October 1 is a global observance day, not a public holiday.

It is aimed at raising public awareness of the existence of this segment of the population often relegated to the periphery on retirement, as well as mobilising political will and resources to address issues that affect the. Furthermore, the day is for celebrating and acknowledging the contributions of the elderly at all levels of society.

According to the UN, elderly persons are those aged 60 and above. Given the improved health care and nutrition, the current figure of 700 million older persons in the world is projected to grow by around 20 percent, in the next thirty years, to 2 billion. Such figures introduce population dynamics that are hard to ignore.

Therefore, it follows that older persons, rather than being wished away or sidelined, ought to be empowered by promoting their active participation in social, economic and political life in order to reduce existing – and prevent future – discrimination and inequalities.

The UN, for its part, recognises that the majority of older men and women can make a vital contribution to society if adequate guarantees are put in place- instead of letting their accumulated skills and knowledge sink into oblivion at retirement.

The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals both recognise that sustainable development in any sector of society will only be achievable if it is inclusive of all ages, old and young.

In order to make sure that senior citizens remain functional and impactful, governments and stakeholders must take deliberate measures to deal with particular needs and challenges faced by many older people. Some of the steps include “adaptive labour policies, social protection, universal health cover…, as well as changing the negative narrative and stereotypes involving old age.” (UN 2019 Theme: Journey to Equality)

As the main custodians of tradition and cultural heritage, the elderly have always consistently transmitted knowledge, wisdom, skills and experience to the younger generation through informal education at home, as well as through ceremonies and organised rites of passage.

Unfortunately, throughout Africa, the burden of caring for the terminally ill–or their orphans–has largely fallen to the aged. Often struggling with their own fragility, they are forced to raise grandchildren affected by HIV/AIDS, war, or rural-urban migration. In addition, they are left highly vulnerable to violent physical attacks and psychological abuse from their own relatives, and society at large. Because of limited resources, they end up being ravaged by treatable diseases, terminal illnesses and poverty. Loneliness and depression often occur as a result of the death of their peers, and also from being abandoned by the community.

The world needs October 1 in order to celebrate and commemorate the older persons in our midst, and also seek ways to address the issues that affect their lives so that they are assisted to grow old with the dignity they deserve.