Every October we honor International Older Persons Day on Oct. 1 and look ahead to what the United Nations thinks are some of the greatest challenges to our elders.
This year, on Oct. 1, 2022 which is officially the International Day of Older Persons, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres drew attention to the “resilience of the more than one billion older women and men” in a rapidly changing world.
“The past years have witnessed dramatic upheavals – and older people often found themselves at the epicenter of crises,” he said in a video message, adding that they are vulnerable to “a range of challenges”, including the COVID 19 pandemic, the worsening climate crisis, proliferating conflicts, and growing poverty.
“Yet in the face of these threats, older people have inspired us with their remarkable resilience”.
Unleashing potential
By 2030, 1.4 billion people will be at least 60 years old, the UN reminds us.
“Our task as societies and as the global community is to address the challenges of longevity – and unleash its potential,” the UN chief continued, urging everyone to “promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all people at all ages”.
He reminded that this pledge is enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that lifelong learning, strong social protection, accessible quality long-term healthcare, bridging the digital divide, intergenerational support, dignity and respect “are essential”.
Fountain of knowledge
“Older persons are a tremendous source of knowledge and experience,” said the top UN official, underscoring the need to strive to “ensure active engagement, full participation, and essential contributions”.
By doing so, we will build more inclusive and age-friendly societies and a more resilient world, he concluded.
Solution-builders
The Brookhouse Home is pleased that International Day of Older Persons also serves as a hallmark and reminder of the significant role older women play in overcoming global challenges and contributing solutions, with resilience and fortitude.
Recognizing the vital contributions of older women and promoting the inclusion of their voices, perspectives and needs are critical to creating meaningful policies to enhance a holistic response.
This year, the UN says the day is a call to action and an opportunity to embrace the voices of older women and showcase their resilience and contributions in society, while promoting policy dialogues to enhance the protection of older persons human rights and recognize their contributions to sustainable development.
UN experts chime in
Adding to the call for ensuring that older women are counted and visible, eight UN-appointed independent human
rights experts endorsed a statement issued by Claudia Mahler, the independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.
They lauded the roles that older women play in peace-building and conflict resolution as carriers of pre-conflict narratives, countering extremist nationalist tendencies, preventing radicalization and acting as repositories of knowledge about community dynamics.
“Older women themselves are the best advocates for their own needs, concerns and rights,” the UN experts upheld, adding that States should include them in all relevant policy design, implementation and monitoring.
“Older women [must] have access to information on legislation, policies and services that affect their lives in order to be able to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully.”
Making the perspectives of older women visible helps combat harmful and prejudicial gender stereotyping, they spelled out.
