Minister calls for respect socio-economic, political, human…rights of elderly.

The declaration marked the commemoration of the 34th edition of the International Day of Older Persons. 

The Day observed every October 1, has been placed under the theme: “The part we play”.

According to Minister Irene Nguene, ageing does not necessarily mean becoming useless or dependency and care. She then underscored the need to build sustainable and equitable systems that ensure their participation in policy-making.

The minister, however, pointed that seniors are often excluded in various areas of their daily lives, exposing them to the risk of vulnerability.

“On 1 October 2024, it is therefore essential to recognize the rights of the elderly. It is a social duty, a societal commitment,” she said.

The minister then emphasised that “we must raise community awareness on the need to respect their human, social, economic and political rights and encourage older persons to participate as citizens in socio-economic development”.

The social affairs minister also stressed on the need to educate public opinion about the need to change perceptions of inactivity and unproductivity, promote the essential roles the elderly are called upon to play in the society as well as strengthening care and support systems to provide adequate infrastructure.

Crux of this year’s theme

The member of government said this year’s edition is being celebrated in the context of Cameroon's post ratification on December 28, 2021, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Protection of the Rights of Older Persons, which was adopted on January 31, 2016, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

She then explained that the theme aims at promoting the social inclusion of older persons and the essential roles they are called upon to play in the communities, while strengthening care and support systems to guarantee their dignity.

“The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity for public authorities and civil society to organize activities, mobilize resources and focus on issues relating to their inclusion. It is not only an action, but also an opportunity to make the voice of older persons heard, and to highlight their abilities,” the minister declared. 

In line with this year’s Day, the second edition of “Seniors Week” was organised with a series of activities carried out by MINAS with stakeholders in the ten regions. The activities were geared at promoting the image, resilience and know-how of older person.

Message to older persons

While addressing the elderly, the minister assured them that their place in the society will always be secured. 

She then reminded them of the need for them to make their contribution in developing the younger generations. 

“Your social participation will enable you to flourish and play the social role assigned to you by the President of the Republic,” she added. 

Biya’s social policy 

Minister Irene Nguene also explained that the valourisation of the role of elderly is at the heart of President Paul Biya’s Inclusion and Social Justice Policy.

Going by the member of government, as part of this policy, an essential role and a special place has been assigned to the elderly in the process of nation building.

“The elderly receive special attention from the public authorities. Our country has a considerable legal arsenal, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights,” she assured. 

In addition, she indicated that there is a national policy document for the promotion and protection of the elderly, which serves as a compass for the actions to be taken and as a tool for raising awareness on the problems related to the elderly. 

“This policy document is backed by a multi-annual national action plan which identifies the five priority areas on which the various sectoral actors must focus their actions,” she noted.

The MINAS boss asserted that her ministry benefiting from the multiform support of national and international partners, to enable the elderly to flourish and contribute effectively to the building of a prosperous, peaceful and socially cohesive society.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3247 of Wednesday October 02, 2024