ZANZIBAR government has planned to start issuing identity cards to the elderly to help them to have easy access to various services as it commemorates International Day of Older Persons at the end of the week.
The Minister for Social Welfare Development, Elderly, Gender and Children Ms Riziki Pembe Juma unveiled that when briefing reporters about the International Day of Older Persons which is marked on the 1st of October. The theme of this year is ‘the Resilience and Contributions of Older Women.’
According to the Minister the senior citizens with special IDs will be able to access, concession, priority services offered by government departments, public transport, private and commercial establishments.
“We are encouraging spirit of respect for the senior citizens and all people should take this seriously for our elders to enjoy,” he said.
Ms Juma informed journalists here that during the commemoration which is expected to be graced by President Hussein Mwinyi, a total of 686 IDs will be issued to the senior citizens, while 24,000 more cards are being printed.
She said that, by having the special IDs, members of the public should know that no elder person will be required to queue for any services they will be given priority in all places including public transport.
“Statistics indicate that by September 20, 2022 there were 28,706 elders in which 11,379 are in Pemba, who are also receiving the Universal Pension of 20,000/- each month. The government spends more than 600m/- monthly to pay the universal pensions,” said the Minister.
He said that the United Nations (UN), observes that the 2022 theme of International Day of Older Persons serves as a hallmark and reminder of the significant role older women play in traversing global challenges and contributing to their solutions with resilience and fortitude.
UNIDOP 2022 is a call to action and opportunity aimed to embrace the voices of older women and showcase their resilience and contributions in society, while promoting policy dialogues to enhance the protection of older people’s human rights and recognize their contributions to sustainable development.
On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons (resolution 45/106). This was preceded by initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the UN General Assembly.
Ms Maryam Juma Abdalla-Principal/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social welfare development, Elders, Gender and Children said the weeklong elders’ celebrations also included seminars and called on members of the community including young people to show love and respect to the elderly because of their contribution to develop the country.
It is estimated that over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050. All regions will see an increase in the size of the older population between 2019 and 2050.
