an old couple
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has urged all citizens to give heightened attention to the aspirations, well-being and human rights of older persons.
In a press statement released today in commemoration of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) which is observed on 1 October, ZHRC said for a long time, the issues relating to older persons have not been properly observed.
This year’s IDOP is being commemorated under the theme: “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”.
According to Section 82 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, elderly people (older persons) are people over the age of 70 years.
“Until recently, the human rights of older persons have not received much attention as this social group is often perceived as non-productive as many would have retired from formal employment. “This perception is misleading since many people in this category continue to actively serve in different capacities across diverse sectors hence the 2025 IDOP theme acknowledges them as drivers of progress.
“As such, heightened attention should be given to their aspirations, well-being and human rights,” read the statement.
The statement further read that to give more focus to the rights of older persons, the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing was adopted in 1990, followed by the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002, but these are not yet anchored by a legally binding international human rights instrument.
And at regional level, the African Union (AU) adopted the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa in 2016.
“In addition, the AU also adopted the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security in 2022.
“The ZHRC congratulates the Government of Zimbabwe for ratifying both Protocols in 2024.
“Furthermore, the ZHRC notes that the Government of Zimbabwe enacted progressive laws that protect the rights and entitlements of older persons, including the Older Persons Act [Chapter 17:11] and the Social Welfare Assistance Act [Chapter 17:06].
“Collectively, these two pieces of legislation advance the rights of older persons to human dignity, appropriate care facilities, provision of social protection through harmonised cash transfers, food deficit mitigation programmes, assisted treatment orders, prevention of age-based discrimination, and protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation of all forms.
“Despite these positive legislative measures, older persons in Zimbabwe continue to face barriers to enjoyment of their constitutional rights and entitlements.
“Challenges in this regard include discrimination of older persons within their family environments and in public spaces, age-based stereotyping including accusations of witchcraft directed at older women in particular, limited access to health care, inadequate social protection, prolonged isolation and loneliness, neglect and in some instances outright abuse by relatives or care givers,” read the statement.
It is added that these challenges are compounded by limited or ineffective enforcement of laws that protect older persons from violations of their fundamental rights and entitlements.
The ZHRC also called on the government to domesticate and implement provisions of the AU Protocols protecting the rights of older persons it is party to.
And in particular, the Commission urges the government to avail resources for the provision of social security for older persons, including meaningful pensions so that retired people do not become destitute.
