14 June 2006
The 15th of June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and activities will be
held in the country tomorrow to highlight the need to care and protect the
elderly in our country.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was designated by the International Network
for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the World Health Organisation
(WHO), as an acknowledgement of the fact that elder abuse is a universal
problem that affects the society at large.
The 2006 theme is âMy Worldâ¦Your Worldâ¦Our World, Free of Elder Abuse.â
Research demonstrates that there is a link between elder abuse and
disempowerment and discrimination. The strategy focusing on empowerment,
awareness and education and intergenerational relationships has been proposed
by INPEA to ensure that it effectively deals with the problem.
The Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya said, âWe want to pledge
our continued support to all stakeholders who are committed to fight elder
abuse and who are involved in various programmes to address the problem. As we
mark Youth Day and Youth Month we urge our youth to remember that they have a
responsibility to look after the elderly in general and their grandparents in
particular. The abuse of grandparents by their children and grandchildren and
by other members of society in general must stop.â
Dr Skweyiya added, âAll of us have to work together to raise awareness and
ensure that perpetrators of this crime are brought to book. We must love,
protect and care for our elderly. We must recognise and appreciate that they
play a critical role in our communities. Many orphans and vulnerable children
in our country are cared for by grandparents who continue to be the backbone of
many families, giving children a sound beginning in life. Many also continue to
contribute to the economic development of our country and remain economically
active.â
According to the 2001 census, there are 3,2 million older persons in the
country the largest group being Africans who comprise 67,7 percent of the aged
population.
The province with the highest proportion of older persons is KwaZulu-Natal
with 19,6 percent, Eastern Cape has 18 percent, Gauteng with 16,6 percent and
Limpopo has 12,4 percent. The province with the lowest percentage is Northern
Cape with 2,1 percent. Owing to migration among younger persons the number of
older persons is higher in rural areas. Provinces with a higher proportion of
older persons have a lower category of people who are 15 to 59 years (51,4
percent) i.e. potentially economically active citizens. They also have an
exceptionally high proportion of dependents, i.e. 0 to 14 years old (31
percent).
Almost half of older persons (42,9 percent) in the country have had no
formal schooling. Older persons living in urban areas are more likely to have
had formal schooling and generally to have progressed further in education than
older persons living in rural communities. Only 7,8 percent of females managed
to finish schooling as compared to 10,7 percent of males.
The Department of Social Development is in the process of finalising the
Older Personâs Bill, which has a chapter on the protection of older persons
dealing specifically with abuse. In August last year the Department partnered
with South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to host the convention on
the rights of Older Persons where a South African Older Persons National Forum
(SAOPNF) was established. One of the objectives of the forum is to advocate on
the rights of older persons.
Amongst other activities the Cape Town based organisation, Action on Elder
Abuse South Africa which runs the Help Elder Abuse Line (HEAL), will be hosting
events in Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga tomorrow, 15 June, to mark
the day.
Activity: Launching of HEAL Sock Day (Pairs of socks are sold at R20 per
pair bearing the toll free number. This is mainly done to raise awareness and
to raise funds to create more awareness)
Place: Goodwood in Cape Town
Contact details:
Pat Lindgren
Tel: (021) 426 5526
Activity: Awareness Campaign
Place: Mpumalanga Response Unit in Witbank
Contact details:
Yvonne Radebe
Tel: (013) 698 1594
Cell: 072 857 3197
Activity: Awareness Campaign
Place: Eastern Cape Response Unit in Port Elizabeth
Contact details:
Bulela Mdlankomo
Tel: (041) 456 1154
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Cell: 082 782 2575
Issued by: Department of Social Development
14 June 2006
