Durban organisations advocate for the elderly
Local organisations, The Association For The Aged and Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, are on a quest to advocate for the rights of the elderly community, saying that there isn't any specific right that speaks for the rights of the aged.
AS the country celebrates Freedom Month, and the rights that came with democracy, The Association for the Aged (Tafta), together with the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP), have joined hands to petition for the rights of the elderly. According to GAROP, many human rights laws do not cater for or recognise the elderly community. “Despite the existence of international human rights [laws], there aren’t any that cater specifically to the elderly – these laws fail to prohibit age-based discrimination.”
Tafta has launched their ‘Sawubona’ initiative in response to the petition launched by GAROP which calls for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older People, to empower and support them. Tafta’s Sawubona Campaign aims to combat ageism by recognising and acknowledging the value of older people by engaging with them and sharing their stories so they still feel like they are a part of the community.
Also read: What we need to remember on Human Rights Day
“There is a growing global population of people aged 60 and over that is expected to double by the year 2050. With South Africa’s National Freedom Month in full swing, Tafta is calling on support for our joint campaign with GAROP to inspire an all-inclusive society where older people are seen, heard and they can enjoy the right to care and protection,” explained Femada Shamam, CEO of Tafta Durban. According to Shamam, the joint Age with Rights and Inspiring Active Ageing campaign will spread messages that emphasise the rights and inclusion of the elderly, while also advocating for integrated communities where the elderly are not overlooked or secluded.
Shamam shared that Tafta’s campaign will rally behind GAROP as they urge governments to make the human rights of the elderly part of the conversation at the United Nations Open-Minded Working Group meeting set to take place in May 2024. “We encourage our supporters to be a part of the progression to a world where we, as older people, will be protected from discrimination, neglect, exclusion and other violations of our human rights.
Individuals can join the movement by sharing our social media posts and signing the petition available on our website. We encourage care partners in the elder sector to join our #inspiringactiveageing campaign to support this global initiative. Every promotion of upholding human rights for older people will increase the awareness around the need to establish a framework that recognises and supports people as they age,” said Shamam.
Also read: The significance of Human Rights Month
To sign the petition and access resources on the joint #inspiringactiveageing and #agewithrights initiative, visit the Sawubona Campaign tab on the Tafta website at www. tafta.org.za
More about Tafta
Tafta is a non-profit organisation established in 1958. Tafta provides care and support to over 1 500 older people in residential facilities (fit, assisted-living and frail-care), and a further 3 500 through outreach (social services, wellness activities, Meals on Wheels and home-based care programmes) at 24 service locations in the form of homes, clubs and wellness centres.
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