General Assembly General Assembly

13th session of the Open-ended Working Group for the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons

Item 5. Measures to enhance the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons

 

Statement by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Madame Chair,

 

Let me begin by congratulating you for your election as the Chair of the 13th session of the Open-ended Working Group. I much look forward to productive deliberations during the session.

 

Madame Chair,

 

India is home to over 135 million old persons and this population segment is expected to reach nearly 20 percent of our population in 2050.

 

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing provides a roadmap for addressing the challenges of ageism, as well as the realization of the human rights of older persons. In keeping with these commitments, we have undertaken a number of legislative and policy measures to promote the social, economic and emotional security of the elderly.

 

For one, the well-being of senior citizens is mandated in the Constitution of India, which enjoins the State to make effective provisions for securing the right to work and to public assistance in cases of old age.

 

India has also adopted a multi-stakeholder approach, to enable the elderly to lead a secure, dignified and productive life.

 

Two, a National Policy on Older Persons, prescribes guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of the senior citizens of the country. The Policy provides for extending support for the financial security, health care, shelter, welfare and other needs of older persons, provide protection against abuse and exploitation, make available opportunities for the development of the potential of older persons, seek their participation, and provide services, so that they might improve the quality of their lives.

 

The Policy also lays down guidelines to promote good and affordable health services, very heavily subsidized for the poor and a graded system of user charges for others. It recognizes the primary health care system as the basic structure of public healthcare, which is to be strengthened and oriented to be able to meet the healthcare needs of older persons.

 

I will also add that the Policy provides state support for financial and food security, health care, shelter and protection against exploitation. There are also provisions in law for institutional support to widows and older women in vulnerable situations.

 

The training of caregivers for senior citizens is being conducted at the National Institute of Social Defence, New Delhi. Online training and awareness programs with various stakeholders, including senior citizens, are also being organized by the Institute on issues relating to geriatric healthcare, nutritional diet, psychological needs etc.

 

Three, a National Action Plan for the Welfare of Senior Citizens was launched in 2020 that addresses the needs of older persons holistically, with special emphasis on four basic needs viz. financial security, food, health care and a life of dignity.

 

Four, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007 has made the care, maintenance and well-being of parents by their children obligatory and justiciable. In cases of abuse, the Act provides the older adults the right to approach a dedicated Tribunal.

 

Madame Chair,

 

I will also add that civil society organisations and Informal Groups are playing an important role in India in providing a security net for senior citizens, supplementing what the family provides, in keeping with our longstanding traditions. These NGOs are particularly relevant in urban areas where chances of abuse are much more. We appreciate the role of these NGOs in the protection and promotion of the rights of older persons.

 

In conclusion, Madame Chair, let me reaffirm India’s commitment to protect, care and provide for the welfare and wellbeing of its elderly. This is ingrained in our ethos, where elders are to us, what the roots are to the trees. In this vein, we will continue to participate actively in the discussions of the working group and at other UN forums, on this critically important issue.

 

Thank You!