NO HIDING PLACE FOR VIOLATORS AND ABUSERS OF OLDER PERSONS IN NIGERIA- NSCC
State Correspondent
Thursday, 15th June 2023 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), instituted by the United Nations General Assembly.
It is set aside to create opportunities for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect of older persons in the world.
On this Special global day, awareness will be centred on the cultural, social, economic and demographic issues that fosters Elder Abuse and neglect and to voice out opposition against abuse of the human rights of older persons.
This year’s theme is “Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Older Age Policy, Law and Evidence Based Response”
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) domesticated the theme to suit Nigeria’s peculiarities. It is “Closing the Circle; Addressing Abuse and Violence Against Older Persons in Older Age Policy, Law, Evidence Based Response and Inter-Generational Education.
Some of the steps the National Senior Citizens Centre has taken to stem the abuse and violation of the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria include;
1. The anti Elder Abuse and Community Response Mechanism
2. The strategic partnership in mainstreaming the rescue and remedy of older persons response mechanism in Nigeria
3. Under the NSCC-NAPTIP strategic partnership, older persons whose rights were abuse received attention.
4. NSCC mounted Media campaigns to fundamentally change negative perception on Ageing and older persons and promoted age friendly environment and services.
5. These was achieved through short documentaries broadcast on national television and radio channels and other media platforms.
6. NSCC developed and distributed Information and Educational Communication (IEC) materials in partnership with NAPTIP, NHRC, NOA and the Legal Aid Council, translated into three major languages on Elder Abuse Awareness embedded with remedy and NAPTIP rescue toll free call lines.
On the 2023 global World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Nigeria, Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro assures senior citizens and older persons alike of the resolve and determination to continue to improve the quality of life of Senior Citizens through it flagship programs; the NSCC Continuing Engagement Bureau Program, the Grandmothers Arise For Good Initiative, Care quality curriculum and competency regulatory framework for setting up different models of Senior Centres and care facilities and the Senior-led indigenous crafts among others.
Dr Omokaro encouraged all NGOs, CBOs, Coalitions and the National Consultative Forum on Ageing in Nigeria to adopt the national theme in the celebration of WEAAD 2023 as it will promote intergenerational conversations about Elder Abuse.
(NSCC Media)
