As the World marks Elder Abuse Awareness Day the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has called on stakeholders especially the media to use their various platforms to amplify the significance of the Day and the imperatives of supporting the older persons to contribute their quota to the overall well-being and development of Nigeria.
The Day is commemorated to raise awareness about elder abuse and the need for the media to run programmes that would highlight the danger of elder abuse as well as measures to prevent, including what to do if it is spotted.
The Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria said the theme for 2024 commemoration “Senior Safety and Combating Financial Exploitation” is apt as it highlights the importance of safeguarding the human rights of older persons. He said people should desist from financial abuse and exploitation of the elderly as they violate their right to security, dignity and independence.
Ojukwu stated that the Commission will continue to use its platform to create awareness on the maltreatment of older adults. This abuse is not peculiar to Nigeria alone he said, it exists in both developed and developing countries and the reason why it has persisted in societies is because it is underreported and most perpetrators not held accountable.
He applauded the Federal Government for establishing the Center for Nigerian Senior Citizens to cater for the needs of the elderly who face different forms of abuse including emotional/psychological, physical, sexual, financial neglect and discrimination.
The NHRC Chief Executive Officer recalled that the larger UN family has placed Nigeria on the African and Global Map on ageing matters and related challenges. He called on Nigerians to always treat older persons with dignity and respect and report any suspected form of abuse to the authorities. He said “Nigeria at the regional level has signed the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of the Older Persons in Africa”, he noted that the full ratification is underway.
Elder Abuse Day was created by the United Nations Resolution 66/67 following the request by the International Network for the prevention of elder abuse because older persons often experience discrimination, leading to their needs often overlooked during humanitarian or response services.
It will be recalled that the NHRC in May 2024 participated at the 14 session of the open Ended working group on Ageing “OEWGA 14” where it joined the working group to recommend to the UN General Assembly to consider and approve that the Human Rights Council takes further action towards the adoption of an international binding document for the protection of the rights of older persons like other vulnerable groups namely Children, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous persons and communities etc. The commission will continue to work with all well meaning members of the society at national and international levels towards the improvement of the protection of the rights of older persons in the society.
