Growing attention to human rights and an increasing awareness of the rights of older persons globally have led to a view of elder abuse as a human rights issue. A number of instruments based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights cover the rights of older persons despite not being legally binding.
Policies constitute the basis upon which different individuals can claim their rights. However, only a few African countries have a policy for older people. This lack of policies constitutes the greatest obstacle to the protection of older persons’ rights in these countries.
The need to promote the rights of older persons and to address negative attitudes that encourage abuse, discrimination and alienation of elders, is one of the points of agreement in the Common Position.
NSINDAGIZA works with other stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of the older persons support groups and their families, Youth and Women’s groups. Since they are all skilled, they work together to organize awareness campaigns for the community members on the rights and welfare of the older persons.
Though our focus group is mainly the most vulnerable older women and men, including those with disabilities and with severe Non-Communicable Diseases NCDs), we hope that if they work together, they can achieve great things. The older persons support groups are supported to network with other service providers.
One of the rights of older persons is participation. Older persons themselves are the most important stakeholders in any awareness and advocacy effort.
Whether in terms of health education, paralegal and legal initiatives or designing activities and initiatives that could appropriately capture and address older persons’ needs, involving older people in all discussions related to their wellness and allowing them to regroup in groups is the basis to ensure that any effort undertaken is representative of their needs.
Different strategies to reach out to older persons are used in NSINDAGIZA Organization, including older persons ‘support groups, home visits for those unable to move to support group meetings.
Finally, word of mouth by asking one elder to indicate whether she/ he knows of any other elder in the neighborhood has been a strong strategy to reach those isolated.
NSINDAGIZA works with other stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of the older persons support groups and their families, Youth and Women’s groups. Since they are all skilled, they work together to organize awareness campaigns for the community members on the rights and welfare of the older persons.
Though our focus group is mainly the most vulnerable older women and men, including those with disabilities and with severe Non-Communicable Diseases NCDs), we hope that if they work together, they can achieve great things. The older persons support groups are supported to network with other service providers.
