|
|
Boon for Our Elderly
The Star
South Africa
March 27, 2006
Elderly people in this country are often subjected to abuse, either by their immediate families or by society at large. The poor and the disadvantaged are particularly likely to be on the receiving end of this abuse.
Last Wednesday's parliamentary debate of the Older Persons Bill is therefore an historic and positive development for this marginalised group. As the Bill enjoys the support of all political parties, adoption is virtually assured.
The first draft of the Bill was drawn up eight years ago, and since then there have been wide consultations with NGOs serving the elderly. From a slim Bill of 4 chapters and 23 clauses tabled in Parliament three years ago, it has grown to 6 chapters and 36 clauses.
The radical new approach of this bill shifts the focus on the elderly from just seeing them as recipients of grants or objects for welfare to members of society with rights who must now be seen holistically, as a group of people in the same way as youth or women.
The contribution to society of the elderly during the prime of their lives should be acknowledged, and society will do well to learn from their wisdom and their experiences.
They contributed to the development of this country, yet in their "twilight years" - marginalised and vulnerable and having to fight the most difficult fight of their lives - they grow old in a society that doesn't adequately cater for their needs.
Many are isolated in old-age homes, and the organisations providing care to them are finding it very hard to raise awareness, or find funding for programmes and projects which can benefit all communities.
The real test will come once the Older Persons Bill is passed into law. It is one thing to have laws on the statute books; it is quite another to implement them.
There are many laws which are not enforced in practice. Let this not be one of them.
|
|
