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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent

ZIMBABWE has joined the world in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which is celebrated annually on June 15.

The Day was designed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 of December 2011.

It was preceded by initiatives such as the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), which first established the commemoration in June 2006.

This year’s theme is: “Zimbabwe-Confronting Elder Abuse” which resonates well with The UN International Plan of Action that describes elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima at the celebrations held Society of the Destitute Aged (SODA) in Harare, the legal director in the same ministry Mr Fredrick Mabhena said the Day was one of the most critical milestones in world history where society refutes the rampant and unwarranted abuses endured by its dearest senior citizens.

“On the heels of this global recognition of the need to protect older persons, Zimbabwe as a member of the community of nations and in pursuit of its long-cherished cultural heritage of hunhu/ubuntu proceeded to promulgate the Older Persons Act (Chapter 17:11) in 2012,” he said.

“The Older Persons Act birthed the Older Persons’ Board that acts as a voice of older persons in Government. Through the Older Persons Board, Government is able to mobilise and administer resources for the welfare, upkeep and protection of the elderly. In the same spirit, the Government of Zimbabwe through my Ministry would like to register its full commitment towards providing older persons with universal access to housing, health facilities, transport and food.”

SODA director, Mrs Emily Mukaratirwa said people must refrain from abusing the elderly in the country.

“Let us love our elderly and desist from abusing them. They have a lot to teach us and we have a lot to learn from them,” she said.

Globally, the number of older people is expected to be 1.4 billion by 2030.