The issue of ageing or elderly must be the centre of the global development agenda.
Today, the elderly are the world’s fastest growing population group and amongst the poorest.
This was the message from the Department of Community Development during the commemoration of the World Elderly Abuse Awareness on Friday.
According to the UNFPA, one person in 10 is 60 years older, but by 2050, the rate will be one person in five.
The UNFPA says in the developing world, there are almost 400 million people of 60, the majority of whom are women, and this figure is expected to rise dramatically in the coming decade.
During the Elderly Awareness Day, the Deputy Secretary of Community Division, Jeane Sliviak, pointed out that the UN Conventions on Human Rights does not cover the specific human rights violations for old age.
As a result, many governments have failed to respond to rights violations and discrimination against elderly or older persons.
“Many governments see elderly persons as recipients of welfare and as a burden to society, rather than right holders, like other citizens,” said Sliviak.
“A new UN convention on the rights of elderly people is necessary to rectify this perception.”
(Loop file picture)