Joint efforts, laws needed to ensure rights for senior citizens

Speakers urge the journalist community to play their part in highlighting the issue.

PESHAWAR:

The number of senior citizens in Pakistan is increasing but their rights are being ignored. It is high time that we enact laws to ensure that their rights are protected and their problems addressed.

This was stated by speakers at a workshop, titled “Media Sensitisation on Senior Citizens,” that was organised by HelpAge International and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday.

Dr Amjad Khan, health coordinator at HelpAging, said globally the population of senior citizens is increasing and the situation in Pakistan is no different.

There will be 43.3 million people (15.8% of the total population) over the age of 60 in Pakistan by 2050, from the current 11.6 million (6.5% of the population), Khan said. Given the rapid increase, coupled with the fact that Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, the issues being faced by senior citizens in Pakistan will compound over the years. The problems will exacerbate during disasters, which Pakistan has becoming increasingly prone to, he added.



Khan said it is high time that steps are taken to protect senior citizens from discrimination and poverty and laws are enacted to ensure their right to healthcare, among others.

Waqar Qureshi, advocacy and communication officer at HelpAging, highlighted the role of the media in creating awareness about the needs and rights of senior citizens in Pakistan. He lamented that senior citizens are suffering because none of the previous governments have worked to ensure their rights and urged the journalist community to play their part in highlighting the issue.

A senior citizens bill is pending in the parliament since 2007, said Qureshi, adding that the government should initiate the process of legislation on a priority to protect their rights.

He emphasized that many civil society members and humanitarian organisations are working for the rights of senior citizens in Pakistan, but in order to modify or initiate new polices, “a bigger voice” is required. The goal to facilitate our greying generation in a respectable way is only possible through joint efforts of humanitarian organisations and the media, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2012.