JIPA 2023: Protection of the Older Persons
The 33rd edition of the International Day of Older Persons was launched on September 28, 2023 at the Esplanade of the National Meseum in Yaounde. Presided over by
the Minister of Social Affairs Mrs Pauline Irene NGUENE, in the presence of the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family Mrs Marie Therese Abena Ondoua, this year's event is placed under the theme: Fulfilling the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for older persons across generations. The objective of this edition is to strengthen the promotion of social inclusion of older persons in the face of the demands of a world in constant transformation towards sustainable development.
On this occasion, the representative of older persons expressed the joy of older persons that this year's edition is innovative as the ministry has put in place a "week of seniors" before the celebration that will take place on October 1, 2023. The older persons equally used this opportunity to highlight some of the challenges they are facing and emitted some recommendations.
In her launching speech, the Minister of Social Affairs underscored the increasing in the population of older persons with a forecast that by 2050, there will be 2 billion older persons. She highlighted some of the actions carried out by the government in favour of older persons. She equally talked about the urgent need to denounce all forms of violence and maltreatment of these persons and how exclusion impacts them negatively. She called on all the stakeholders in the support chain for older persons to work in synergy to ensure respect of the rights of older persons in accordance with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and to promote social inclusion for sustainable development.
This year's International Day of Older Persons, whose theme is "Fulfilling the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for older persons across generations", is an opportunity to reflect on how to strengthen the inclusion of older people in the face of the demands of a world in constant transformation for sustainable development. This year, we're celebrating the event in a new, innovative format, with resized activities. It is an opportunity to mobilize public authorities, civil society and all stakeholders in the support chain for the elderly, to promote intergenerational dialogue, healthy and active ageing with respect for human dignity, and inclusive social protection for seniors".
