*ZAMBIA CELEBRATES DAY FOR OLDER PERSONS*
The International Day of older persons has been launched, with Government commiting to create an environment for older people to thrive through positive living.
Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba notes that older people in society are vital and should therefore be protected and empowered.
She said this during the launch of the Day for Older Persons, yesterday in a speech read on her behalf by the Permanent Secretary,Ms. Angela Kawandami.
Ms. Mwamba underscored the importance of providing access to good health and social services for older persons in society.
“The Government Is Determined To Enable Conditions And Measures That Positively Influence The Welfare Of Older Persons. This Commitment Is Attested Through Older Persons Accessing Health Care Through The National Health Insurance Scheme Being Facilitated By Nhima, Easy Access To Regular Income Through Programmes Such As The Social Cash Transfer, Legal Protection And Access To Financial Services” she further affirmed
Ms. Mwamba said Despite Efforts By Government to uplift the welfare of older persons, There Is Still A Call To Stakeholders To Help Older Persons In Areas Of Technological Advancement, Education, And Lifelong Learning, Access To Information, Climate Change Risk Reduction And Adaptation As Well As Overcoming Barriers That Exclude Or Discriminate Against Older Persons.
The Theme For This Year’s Commemoration Is “Resilience Of Older Persons In A Changing World: Resilience And Contributions Of Older Women”, Which Ms. Kawandami says Serves As A Hallmark And Reminder Of The Significant Role Older Persons In Particular Older Women Play In Traversing Global Challenges And Contributing To Their Solutions With Resilience And Fortitude.
She further observed that this Year’s Theme Is A Reminder That there is Need To collectively Recognize That Ageing Is Not Only A Process And A Journey Everyone Of Us Must And Should Prepare For And Undertake, But Also that it Comes With Certain Challenges And Vulnerabilities For Which We Must As A Country And Global Family Begin To Mitigate Adequately.
The International Day For Older Persons Is A Day Dedicated By The United Nations To Recognize And Appreciate The Diverse Contributions Of Older Persons At Household, Community And National Levels.
This Recognition Was Ratified By The United Nations General Assembly Resolution Of 14th December, 1990 And As A Follow Up On Initiatives Such As The Vienna International Plan Of Action Adopted By The 1982 World Assembly On Ageing.
Significantly, This Year 2022 Marks The 77th Anniversary Of The United Nations And The 32nd Anniversary Of The International Day Of Older Persons.
