According to HelpAge, about 12 per cent of the world’s population is aged 60 and above, translating to over 928 million people. In just four years, the number of older people will surpass one billion. By 2050, there will be nearly as many people aged 60 and above as children under 15 years.
It is unfortunate that two-thirds of these people live in low and middle-income countries, where disasters are more likely to occur and the humanitarian impact is greater. By 2050, it is estimated that four-fifths of the world’s older people will live in low and middle-income countries including the EAC member states.
Redirecting and refocusing our energies and attention to dealing with the current and escalating crisis is crucial in ensuring an all-inclusive population that will lead to faster realization of the African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Upholding the rights of older women to ensure protection from violence, sexual abuse and discrimination based on gender, all of which have been prevalent in our region in the recent past, is a matter of paramount importance.
In addition, governments must ensure older persons have access to education, good health care and other services. These include recreational facilities and programmes to improve their wellbeing.
Although the AU has praised some of EAC partner states for the efforts they have made in addressing the cause of the aged, a lot more needs to be done to fully address their plight. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania each has a scheme that seeks to ensure this marginalized group is taken care of through giving them a monthly stipend. Unfortunately, with escalating costs of living, the amount is hardly enough to cater for the most basic needs.
It is also crucial for governments to work towards ending discrimination against aged persons, most of whom are incapacitated in various ways.
In the recent past, aged persons in Africa have been undergoing untold suffering. Cases of rape and violent attacks against old and widowed women have been reported. Even worse are the numerous cases of aged persons who have been murdered by their children so as to inherit their property.
Others have been killed on suspicion of witchcraft, with eyes reddened by smoke from firewood being mistaken as proof of involvement in the occult.
During times of political unrest and violence, which sadly is quite prevalent in Africa, old persons bear the blunt of the violence since they have no energy to escape or fight back.
This situation has been occurring in South Sudan, where there has been prolonged political unrest. More often than not, such persons end up dying unless humanitarian aid agencies come to their rescue.
The AIDS pandemic is not helping matters, as already financially-burdened aged and sick persons are loaded with extra responsibilities of taking care of their grandchildren.
Older persons in Africa have traditionally been viewed in a positive light, as repositories of information and wisdom. Unfortunately, due to moral degradation, changes associated with development and modernization and weakening of traditional social values, these ideals have been eroded.
Increasing budgetary allocation to help the poor meet their needs is key in ensuring that senior citizens live decently in the last days of their lives.
Increasing the monthly stipend will ensure older persons can afford the basic necessities in life. Health and fitness schemes will further alleviate the pain of old-age diseases.
In employment matters, too, many organizations place an age limit while advertising for jobs, often in favour of younger persons. Yet, everyone deserves an opportunity to contribute to nation-building.
At a regional level, governments must ensure that proper statistics of actual numbers and location of aged, sick and incapacitated persons are maintained. This will enhance quick responses in case of disasters, as well as proper planning for the wellbeing of older persons.
Regional governments must eliminate all forms of discrimination against older persons, including social and cultural stereotypes that marginalize older persons and those with disabilities.
Taking care of senior citizens and addressing their problems in Africa requires concerted efforts, and the new MoU provides the basis for stronger partnerships and greater impetus between potential partners.
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