International day for older persons celebrated in Pader

Oct 01, 2016

Basoga said out of 100 elders, only seven get pension which makes the majority unable to access basic services at their age

Celebrations for the international day of older persons were held at Bishop Flynn Secondary school in Pader town council.

The function which attracted elders from all over the country was celebrated under the theme: "Act now stop discrimination against old persons".

 

The oldest persons from Pader district who are Alijana Ongeya aged 116 years and Jojamary Akot aged 106 years were part of the celebrations.

Joseph Basoga the senior communication officer SAGE program Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development said in this era, elders are the most vulnerable persons who are not cared for by their children.

 

"The traditional system where the young generation would provide for the elderly has broken down, they are left to line up in banks and hospitals," Basoga said.

"Elders must not be discriminated, they built the foundation which we work on," he added.

 

Basoga said out of 100 elders, only seven get pension which makes the majority unable to access basic services at their age.

He said the government is committed to address challenges of elderly persons through Senior Citizens Grants where so far 35 districts have been enrolled with each getting a stipend of 25,000shs per month.

 

The day for older persons was passed by UN 16 years ago so that their plights are addressed by the responsible stakeholders.

 

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