MINISTER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION, HON. MERESEINI VUNIWAQA'S MESSAGE ON WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY [WEAAD]
15/06/2021
Today, Fiji joins the millions across the globe in the advocacy to mark the “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” [WEAAD]. The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as a day, when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations. Importantly, it marks a global commitment to encourage governments to promote awareness on the issue of elderly abuse and the need for appropriate preventative action.
Elderly Abuse is not a new issue; in fact it is experienced everywhere across the world and can happen to any older persons depending on circumstances.
Older persons can be abused either by family members or others known to them, either in their homes or in residential Aged care settings. In many instances elder abuse is often swept under the carpet, where victims continue to suffer, for fear of being further ostracized or discriminated against.
Theme:
The UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres, in his Policy Brief: The Impact of Covid-19 on Older Persons warned that measures to restrict movement may trigger greater incidence of violence against older persons and all types of abuse – physical, emotional, financial and sexual as well as neglect. He also claimed that the lack of adequate legislation at national level to protect the rights of older persons and the absence of a dedicated internationally agreed legal framework, contribute to the vulnerability of older persons and may have contributed to the inadequate responses to the COVID-19 crisis and that these gaps must be filled.
This year’s theme “Access to Justice” serves as a reminder of the importance to fully address the needs of older persons who may seek recourse. Older persons who have experienced situations of violence, abuse and neglect often face multiple barriers in accessing judicial remedies such as issues of accessibility, affordability, reasonable accommodation, excessive delays and backlogs in judicial processes, impact of digitalization, cultural norms, gender bias, discrimination, and entrenched ageism in policy, norms and practices.
Access to Justice impacts older persons’ ability to fully exercise all their human rights including the right to health, adequate social protection and to live in dignity. The preservation or restoration of dignity and respect for older persons is crucial in such situations.
Access to justice is also a core element of the rule of law, a fundamental right in itself and an essential prerequisite for the protection and promotion of all other human rights. It encompasses the right to a fair trial, including equal access to and equality before the courts, and seeking and obtaining just and timely remedies for rights violations.
Fiji’s Context:
According to the 2017 National Census, Fiji’s Older Persons (aged 60+), comprise 10.6% (93,745) of Fiji’s population. At the present time, Fiji‘s older population is growing by 3,000 people per year and this annual growth can be expected to remain fairly constant through to 2050. As a result, the 60 and over population will increase from the current 10.6% of the total population to 17% in 2050.
Government recognizes that the battle to combat any form of abuse starts with educating the mindsets of our beloved people. It needs tailor made approaches to recognize and respect individual rights.
Since the establishment of the National Council of Older Persons in 2013, as an advisory body for Government on matters relating to the rights and protection of Older Persons, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, had progressively created awareness and consultations with Older Persons themselves on their needs and unmet needs. Aligned to better coordinated efforts to address matters relating to Older Persons, Government continues to try and formalize district committees for Older Persons. Thus, the proverb “Nothing about us without us”.
Essentially, as a Ministry responsible for the mandate to ensure that Older Persons are not left behind, we are reviewing current gaps in policy and legislations, and support services for a more inclusive, protective, healthy and enabling environment for Older Persons. This will culminate into the review of the National Policy on Ageing in 2011. The review will incorporate mainstreamed aspects of gender, climate change, data and information as well as the recent advent of the covid 19 pandemic. It is also from the national review that more defined interventions shall be validated to guide the Aged Care sector accordingly.
At this juncture, I wish to acknowledge partners that have been complementing Government initiatives to create awareness on Elder Abuse and prevention measures. The Ministry currently has a renewed partnership with the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), who has been instrumental in joining forces to build capacity of existing staff in our Aged Care Sector as well as address awareness around the issue of Elder Abuse; as well as knowledge and skills training for family caregivers in community settings.
The Ministry also implements the REACH program and works in partnership with stakeholders such as UNDP, other government Ministries and NGOs. The REACH program brings information (on government assistance) and health and social services directly to the door step of communities, particularly rural communities. This enables our elderly to have timely access to these services.
Currently, Government assistance to 44,588 Older Persons through its Social Pension Scheme has covered 47.5 % of Fiji’s proportion of Older Persons. This is a monthly allowance of $100 per month, a contribution that our Elders age with dignity. Government also administers a $10 monthly top up under the e-transport system for Older Persons, to date a total of 38,735 Older recipients access this assistance via the public bus services.
In the Institutional Aged Care settings, Government in 2017 established a National Minimum Standards for Aged Care Facilities in Fiji on the Care of Older Persons. The aim of the Minimum Standards is to stipulate the minimum requirements for facilities to operate as a care home. The required knowledge, skills and competencies needed by the management and staff to ensure care homes deliver individually tailored, comprehensive and quality services.
Conclusion:
In essence, Government will not tolerate the injustice of abuse and neglect of older persons. We must promote the values of respect and dignity in our homes and communities. We must be mindful that abuse and neglect is a cancer that will soon disintegrate the very essence of family life. Our parents raised us as their pride and joy. However, we have noticed the overwhelming queries to place their elders in the Aged Care Homes.
I challenge each and every Fijian to stop the cowardly and irresponsible act of abuse and neglect of our elderly parents, grandparents and relatives. We must cultivate the moral courage and embrace greater wisdom, understanding and tolerance as we look after our elders so that they can age with dignity and respect.
We must all work together to create a responsible, caring, and inclusive Fiji where Fijians of all ages, especially our Elders, are proud to call Home.