On the occasion of the International Day of Aging, the head of the United Nations emphasized ‘their remarkable resilience’ |
“The past years have seen dramatic upheavals – and older people often find themselves at the heart of crises,” he said in a video message, adding that they are vulnerable. before “a wide range of challenges”, including COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis is worsening, conflict is increasing and poverty is increasing.
“However, in the face of these threats, our elders have inspired us with their remarkable resilience.”
Unleash your potential
By 2030, 1.4 billion people will be 60 years of age or older.
“Our mission as a global society and community is to Tackling the challenges of longevity – and unleashing its potential“, the UN chief continued, calling on people to “promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all people of all ages”.
He reminded that this commitment is kept in Sustainable development goals (SDGs), adds that lifelong learning, strong social protection, accessible quality long-term health care, bridging the digital divide, intergenerational support, dignity and respect “is essential”.
Source of knowledge
“Older people are a great source of knowledge and experience, emphasizing the need to make efforts to” ensure they are actively involved, fully involved and essential contribution”.
That way, we will build more inclusive and age-friendly societies and a more resilient world, he concluded.
Women are first
In this year’s theme – Resilience of the Elderly in a Changing World – United Nations Headquarters in New York is paying attention to older women.
Although they continue to contribute meaningfully to politics, civil society, culture, and society at large, their contributions and experiences remain largely invisible and overlooked, limited to limited by gender disadvantages that accumulate over a lifetime.
That includes the intersection of age- and sex-based discrimination, and a combination of ageism and sexism.
Solution builder
The International Day of Aging serves as a marker and reminder of the important role older women can play in overcoming global challenges and contributing solutions, with resilience and intervention. guarantee.
Recognizing the important contributions of older women and promoting their voices, perspectives and needs is critical to creating meaningful policies that enhance an inclusive response.
This year, the UN says the day is a call to action and an opportunity to embrace the voices of older women and demonstrate their resilience and contribution to societyand at the same time promote policy dialogues to strengthen the protection of the human rights of the elderly and recognize their contributions to sustainable development.
UN experts call for
In addition to the call to ensure that older women are counted and seen, eight independent UN-appointed human rights experts endorsed statement by Claudia Mahler, an independent expert on the human rights of older people.
They praise the role of older women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution as carriers of pre-conflict narratives, countering extremist nationalist tendencies, and preventing radicalization. and serves as a repository of knowledge about community dynamics.
It is older women who are the best advocates for their own needs, concerns and rights, the UN experts stress, adding that States should include them at all. related policy design, implementation and monitoring.
“Older woman [must] have access to information about laws, policies and services that affect their lives to be able to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully. “
They raised the views of older women helping to combat harmful gender stereotypes and stereotypes.
Special rapporteurs and independent UN-appointed experts are based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
