In my younger years, I used to hum this beautiful song of a young singer who lyrically penned an ode to her grandmother.听鈥淪ilver gray hair neatly combed in place. There were four generations of love on her face. She was so wise; no surprise passed her eyes. She'd seen it all....鈥�
Today as we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons, we need to look at the world through their eyes 鈥� filled with wisdom and clarity on how the world can be a better place for the next generations.
For us, those with knees that carry more lift in our steps, do we really see them? As their gait slow down in this fast-turning world, do we stop for a second and ponder how life is for them? Their houses filled with dim memories, often empty, children long gone, their mental and health needs ignored.
Ageing gracefully
Ageing is one of the most significant demographic trends in this century. By 2030, 1.4 billion people will be at least 60 years old.听
In East and Southern Africa, the older population group is growing at a rapid rate and by 2050, the region will be home to 95 million people over 60 years old.听Like most other regions, women in the region live longer than men 鈥� they can expect to live to age 68, while men live on average to age 63.
In a changing world and with the COVID-19 pandemic, an ominous climate crisis, non-stop conflicts and disasters, the older population is at the epicenter of layered threats.
But despite the challenges, older people have inspired us with their remarkable resilience and their tenacity in ensuring a right world for the next generations of young women and girls.听
For example, Traditional Authority Mwanza, one of Malawi鈥檚 female chiefs, was married at the tender age of 14. Today, she is a staunch promoter of girls鈥� education and a champion in eliminating harmful cultural practices, including child marriage, in a country which has the highest rates of child marriage in the world.听
On the other hand, in Kenya, women in their 70s, Chepchongil Cheleston, Kokarupe Lorwu and Methani Chepurai Lokuda, are female genital mutilation survivors and former cutters. They have since turned their backs on the blade, fighting against the harmful practice and encouraging a younger generation to do the same.
UNFPA reveals that the needs of the growing population of older people, especially women, are not adequately considered in development initiatives.听
Significant gaps remain in national preparedness to respond to population ageing.
Today, we reaffirm the importance of this year鈥檚 theme for the International Day of Older Persons, on 鈥淭he resilience and contributions of older women鈥�.听
Across East and Southern Africa, older women are a cornerstone of long-term care provision in families, for both the younger and older family members.听
While the physical labour and emotional stress of their caretaker roles can impact their health and well-being negatively, they continue tirelessly to secure the well-being of their families and their communities like the Kenyan women and champion in Malawi.
Despite efforts, older women in the region experience challenges in听accessing inheritance听and听securing land tenure rights听after the death of a spouse. This is not the only form of exclusion faced by older people. They are also on the receiving end of discrimination relating to their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We are calling for听changes in attitudes, policies, and听practices听to ensure that older persons are not viewed simply as welfare beneficiaries but as active participants in the development process whose rights must be respected.听
Older persons have incredible productivity and contributions as key members of the society, and there is a longevity dividend to be reaped by current and future generations.
Through their eyes, we should see a world where there is social, economic, and political inclusion of all people at all ages.听
We have the responsibility as individuals, societies, and global communities to put right measures in place to听secure health care,听regular income, social networks,听and听legal protection听for older persons.听
This is a collective pledge and a commitment enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Zigomo is the Regional Director, UNFPA East and Southern Africa.
