Senior Citizens a Vulnerable Group

SENIOR CITIZENS – A VULNERABLE GROUP
A presentation by Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) to the Country Review Team of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Abuja – Nigeria, from February 3 – March 2, 2008.


The increasing rate of the population of Older People the world over gives cause for concern.

The United Nations estimates that from a population of only 200 million in 1950, it might shoot to about 2 billion in 2050, an alarming increase with Africa and the developing world accounting for a chunk of it.

According to Tavengwa M. Nhongo, HelpAge International Africa Regional Representative, Older Persons are among the poorest of the poor in every society. They are abandoned, isolated, abused and subjugated by those members of the society and institutions upon which they must depend”.

He further added that the breakdown of the extended family system in Africa has exploded the myth that older persons would be looked after by their children and relatives.

It is very sad that in Africa, issues of older persons always meet “brick walls” even when their needs and problems are in the increase.

Research has shown that older persons are among the poorest in every society with women constituting the bulk of the population.

Older Persons, whom we prefer calling SENIOR CITIZENS because it is dignifying, served their father land meritoriously in different capacities majority of whom are today unable to face the rigours of life.

In their time, corruption was an aberration and there was absolutely no reason to engage in any form of corrupt practices. They lived comfortably on their pension while others lived on proceeds from their savings or farm products.

Today, corruption, like a cankerworm, has eaten deep into the fabrics of the societies making senior citizens the worst for it. Recession and inflation have further added to their woes making them vulnerable with the treat of extinction.

It was a thing of joy to listen to Senior Citizens talk glowingly about the fact that their pension was enough for them. Today it is a night mare thinking about pension issues and the pathetic condition under which pensioners found themselves.

HIV/AIDS pandemic has also turned some senior citizens into care givers of orphaned grand children. In some cases, senior citizens dispose of their belongings for “pea-nuts” because they lack any form of assistance in caring for orphans.

SCIWAD, a non-government, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization geared towards ensuring a stable and anxiety free life for senior citizens wishes to suggest as follows:

a) People from 60 and above be called Senior Citizens
b) Respect their intellect and involve them in governance
c) Health care to be given priority: free or highly subsidized.
d) Prompt payment of pension
e) Cities designed for all ages
f) Protection from any form of violence
g) Opportunity to change life styles with desired (and varying) degrees of dependence and independency
h) All tiers of government in African countries to identify and assist senior citizens

African countries adopted three major documents on Ageing and like other standards and codes, are yet to be implemented. Namely:

1) The United Nations Principles for Older Persons
2) The UN Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
3) The World Health Organization Active Ageing Policy Framework

The African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing was launched and adopted in 2002. Sadly, very few of the 54 African States have developed comprehensive policies and legislation covering the needs and concerns of senior citizens.

Could this be because senior citizens are viewed as spent forces that are not worth investing in because they are approaching the end of their lives?

Time flies. Within the twinkle of an eye it will be 2050 and with the projected population of about 2 billion older persons, the world and Africa in particular , would be the worst for it.

SCIWAD is therefore requesting the APRM Secretariat to make a special case for senior citizens as the journey of Peer Reviewing African States continue.


LONG LIVE THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA