BY BETELEHEM BEDLU
Elderly persons are amongst the few segments of the society who have been given less attention in many aspects. Any statement, blog or reports that have made their central theme issues like older persons have been taken for granted or ignored.
It is estimated that there are around 6.8million senior citizens in Ethiopia, of which while merely some one million have their own source of income, around five million of them do not have any source of income. This is one of the major factors exposed these senior citizens for a number of socio-economic problems.
In a recent discussion forum that deliberated the issues of these segment of the society and the role media houses can play in addressing the matters of older persons, Getachew Bedane, State Minister of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA), stated that given the increasing violence that are happening to older persons residing in rural and urban areas and making the issue of older persons its central area, the government has formulated social security policy and strategy and is working to make sure its implementation along with government executive bodies, concerned bodies and partners.
Thus, various efforts are being put for a proper implementation of this national action plan in the federal as well as state bureaus, as to him.
Wasihun Bimirew, Advocacy Expert within MoLSA also mentioned that besides the efforts that the government and various concerned institutions are exerting, the issue of elderly persons is still in its infant stage and; even these days various challenges remain unresolved.
Amongst the factors that are contributing to their sufferings are absence of social welfare coverage, limited social security service and unavailability or limited education and training opportunities are the major ones, according to him.
He further explained that absence of family and society support is the other factor which is aggravating their misery and poverty.
Out of six elderly persons, at least one person is encountering various forms of violence. This violence is mainly occurring in elderly care institutions, service giving centers, in countries that have large number of population.
“The issue of senior people is a longstanding social challenge which is committed by their own close relatives, spouses, friends, family members, children, care centers and work environment. However, there is no effective system that is open to uncover such acts.”
Not only did they go through all of the above abuses, to the worst of the scenario, most of the older persons are compelled to live under the same roof with the committers, as to the expert.
Since there is an information gap regarding whereabouts to report such wrongful acts, the elderly are far from seeking justice/solution. However, it is important to note that the issue is not an individual interest or concern of merely charity approach; but, it is an issue of human rights violation. Thus, their rights should be protected and respected.
To this end, the media as well as concerned institutions should promote the role of the older persons and what they have contributed to the well being of the country. It is also important to sensitize the society to let them understand the need and support that the elderly people deserve, as well as ensure all embracing justice to them.
Various activities should be carried out with regard to their economic status, health and social issues, as well as respecting and maintaining traditional values and norms.
On the other hand, the media need to take in to account that they have a huge role in unveiling what senior citizens are going through including physical, emotional, gender based violence as well as financial abuses.
Ethiopian Elders and Pensioners National Association (EEPNA), General Manager Endashaw Taye stressed that through their cumulative lifelong knowledge and experience, senior citizens can maintain the continuity of traditional and cultural values of the society. They can also contribute to the development of the country. Thus, the desired attention should be given to them.
Media houses are also duty bound to reflect views that can create positive outlook towards older persons on the society. Moreover, they should work to correcting societies’ wrong perception, he underlined.
The Ethiopian Herald 20 April 2021
