FORUM: "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies." World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2024.
As the world prepares to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June, this year DESA programme on ageing, in partnership with the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), will focus on the theme, "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies," to highlight the critical need to protect and support older persons during crises. Established by the United Nations in 2011, WEAAD aims to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation that older persons face, while promoting respect and dignity for this population. Emergencies, whether natural disasters, pandemics, or conflicts, disproportionately impact older persons. These events often exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, making it essential to address their needs in emergency planning and response. Older persons may face mobility issues, chronic health conditions, or social isolation, making it difficult for them to access aid, evacuate safely, or receive timely medical care as well as support services. Moreover, the stress and chaos of emergencies can increase the risk of elder abuse, whether physical, emotional, financial, or neglect. This year's WEAAD calls on Governments, international donors, organizations, and communities to prioritize the safety and well-being of older persons in their emergency preparedness and response strategies. It encourages the development of inclusive policies that ensure older persons are not overlooked during crises. This includes creating accessible evacuation plans, ensuring continuity of healthcare services, and providing targeted support to prevent isolation and abuse. The WEAAD 2024 also emphasizes the importance of education and training for emergency responders, caregivers, and the public. By increasing awareness about the specific challenges faced by older persons in emergencies, we can foster a more inclusive and protective environment. As we come together to observe WEAAD, let us reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of older persons, ensuring that no one is left behind, especially in times of crisis.
At UNHQ in New York.
Date: Fri, Jun 14 2024 | International Day
Location: Virtual
Time: 10:45am - 12:00pm
Location: Virtual
Time: 10:45am - 12:00pm
Background: Conflicts and violence are currently escalating globally. By 2050, it is estimated that 1 in every 6 people will be aged 65 or over, increasing the vulnerability experienced by older persons to violence. The Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons has noted a surge in elder abuse, exacerbated by a confluence of crises, including the recent pandemic, climate change, and armed conflicts. Particularly, conflicts exacerbate existing human rights concerns for older persons, aggravating violence, abuse, and neglect during these volatile situations. Many older persons living in conflict zones face heightened risks of violence, abuse, and neglect compared to other community members. Due to additional vulnerabilities such as reduced mobility, health challenges, and disability, older persons may be unable to flee violence, unlike many younger people in similar situations. Moreover, older persons often experience ageism and discrimination, leading to their needs being overlooked during humanitarian or crises response service. Such situations further impede access by older persons to nutrition, healthcare, and other essential needs necessary for their survival. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, in many ongoing conflicts waged between nonstate actors such as political insurgents, international terrorist groups, and other illicit groups, older persons are increasingly targeted for violent acts, including unlawful killings, executions, rape, and destruction of their livelihoods. They often cannot access remedial services to seek legal counsel or redress. Protective laws for older persons are scarce in conflict situations, enabling perpetrators of violence to act with impunity. As conflict and violence persist, elder abuse will continue to escalate, targeting the most vulnerable, including older women, Indigenous Peoples, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and migrants. Meaningful engagement and participation of older persons in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives are crucial to achieving the targets in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 and promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Objectives: • Raise awareness and foster action to combat violence, abuse, and neglect against older persons in conflict settings. • Promote innovative approaches to meet the diverse needs of older persons, enhancing their access to essential healthcare services, including mental health support, nutrition, and other basic necessities, within humanitarian response frameworks. • Facilitate discussions around the development of inclusive policies and strategies aimed at preventing and addressing elder abuse within conflict contexts. • Explore avenues for engaging stakeholders, including older persons themselves, in conflict resolution efforts and ensuring their meaningful participation in initiatives for civilian protection, humanitarian response, conflict prevention, resolution, reconciliation, reconstruction, and peacebuilding • Advocate for enhanced data collection and needs assessment methodologies tailored to effectively address the multifaceted needs of older persons in conflict situations.
At UN Geneva.
A virtual event to mark the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) will be held in Geneva by WHO, UN-DESA and INPEA. The online webinar will take place Monday 17 June 2024 from 14.30 to 16.00 CET. The webinar will provide an update on progress towards addressing the priorities in Tackling abuse of older people - Five priorities for the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030); Please register for the webinar here, where you will also find more information. Explore the Flyer and the Programme.
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed on 15 June. It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 in 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who first established the commemoration in 2006. WEAAD represents the one day in the year when the world voices its opposition to elder abuse, a human rights violation, and enhances the recognition of the dignity of older persons and their right to live free of fear and violence.
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