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A group, HelpAge International has called on parliamentarians from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to enhance protection for older persons in Africa.
News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Shem Ochola, the Head of Network
Coordination and Development of the organization made the call during a high
level conference on the rights of older persons, organized by National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) and ECOWAS Parliament on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ochola said there was need for ECOWAS parliamentarians to work toward
protecting the rights of older persons.
He called on them to rectify the protocol to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa.
According to him, for a convention on older people’s rights
to be strong and effective, it must reflect older people’s experiences across
the world.
He said that Africa needed to support technical cooperation
and capacity-building in the field of human rights for older persons.
The coordinating head added that Africa
must also work toward achieving a society where older persons thrive and feel
empowered to
champion their own human rights, as well as those of others on the continent.
He pointed out that most older persons on the continent had
little access and control over the care and support services they require to
live independent lives.
According to him, palliative care services are hard to access
or, in many cases, do not exist at all.
He said the NGO would continue to help older persons to claim
their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they could lead dignified, secure, active and healthy
lives.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government, in partnership with ECOWAS and the UN are set to collaborate for the introduction and implementation of new and existing policies that improve the living conditions of older citizens in Africa. Bitnex Crestfort
