UN convention needed to better protect rights of elders
Ashish T Magar
For the first time in human history, the growth rate of the 60+ population is exceeding the growth rate of the total world population, and for this reason, the 21st Century is being called the Century of Older Persons. This demographic shift has multiple implications on societies across the globe. Therefore, the well-being of this ever growing section of the population has become a global concern.
Although more developed countries have the oldest population profiles, the vast majority of older people and the most rapidly ageing populations are in the less developed countries. Between 2010 and 2050, the number of older people in the less developed countries is projected to increase more than 250 per cent, compared with a 71 per cent increase in the developed countries. Approximately in 2000, 12 per cent of the worlds people were 60 years old or older. According to the United Nations Medium Variant population projection, falling fertility and mortality rates will cause this figure to rise to over 22 per cent by 2050. opulation ageing has long-run implications in all spheres of cultural, economic and political life. It brings not only quantitative but also qualitative change in the social fabric of the world. An ageing population is both a triumph and a challenge to development.
Asia and the Pacific is the fastest ageing region in the world. It is expected that by 2050, one fourth of the total population in Asia and the Pacific will be 60 years old or older. Due to increased life expectancy and continuing fertility decline, all sub regions of Asia and the Pacific are ageing. In the East and North-East Asia, the fastest ageing sub region, one third of the population will be above 60 and even in South Asia, people above 60 will make up almost one fifth of the population by 2050. But in spite of the increasing importance of older persons in the demographics of the region, older persons are often inadequately considered in policies and rights. The regional review of the Madrid International Plan of Action (MIPAA) in 2011/2012 led to the adoption of the Bangkok Statement on the Asia-Pacific Review of the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Member states identified the following prevailing and emerging issues related to older persons: the need to expand social protection and health-care coverage; address the gender dimensions of ageing; enact and enforce specific legislation to protect the rights of older persons; and promote employment opportunities for older persons.
The social integration of older persons is a key element in combating social isolation and ageism that can lead to discrimination. This includes, inter alia, access to work and employment, community and social participation, civil and political participation, access to goods and services, age-appropriate health care, housing and transportation and long-term care.
The writer in an NGO worker
These challenges have also been at the forefront of global discussions at the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on Ageing. The OEWG is considering the existing international framework of the human rights of older persons as well as identifying possible gaps and how best to address them. In the deliberations within the OEWG, there is consensus amongst the member States on the serious gaps that exist in protecting the rights of older persons, while consensus on the means to do so remains elusive.
The writer in an NGO worker
