Silver Inning Foundation Oral Statement for UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

Hira Mehta - Spokesperson of Silver Inning Foundation presenting Oral Statement at UN 14th OEWG

 I am Hira Mehta from Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO working with older persons across India. 

In India, 149 million older persons are in 60 plus age group belonging to diverse cultures. More than 65% live in rural area and 90% have no social security. Most of the older persons depend on the family support system. Today, changing values are weakening inter-generational ties that is hallmark of our traditional family institution. 

At age of 58, I was mentally and physically fit, but I had to retire without choice. This left me feeling socially isolated, lost and disturbed for a long time, because I felt I was capable of more. Today, with meager 14$ pension per month, I struggle to live decent life and find it difficult to access and afford right health care.   

Challenges that are significantly influencing older persons’ right to health are unavailability of healthcare facilities and services, lack of awareness, education, early detection and prevention, as also socio-economic factors, such as disparities between urban and rural lifestyle. 

As Older Person I want to ‘Age with Rights’ to maintain healthy well-being with dignity. Therefore, multi-faceted approach with robust healthcare policies, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, access, affordability and prioritization of preventive healthcare is required. More importantly, expansion of health insurance coverage for all older persons is also needed.  

India, has sizable population of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Illiteracy and social taboos surround this disease, I must admit that for a long time, even I did not know the difference between age related and dementia related issues. Hence, there is a strong need for awareness campaigns, training, well-defined policy and national dementia plan.  

We align with the statement made by ‘Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People’, a ‘UN Convention for Older Person Rights’ would guarantee older persons’ access to affordable healthcare to help them maintain optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and prevent or delay the onset of illness, to live life with dignity and self-fulfilment. 

Date 20th May'24 

Photo of Civil Society Group at UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

The 14th session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) was held between 20-24th May 2024 in New York. It is a critical time for civil society to maintain pressure for the adoption of a United Nations' Convention on the rights of older people. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 Report

This year due to Corona Lockdown, WEAAD could not happen on ground, but we tried Innovative ONLINE Global event.

It was one of most successful event, hundreds of people of different age group, across globe from different country - India, Nepal, Africa, Australia, USA, South America, Europe participated with enthusiasm in this unique Online event, Posing with Purple Dot, creating awareness and raising voice against Elder Abuse. They posted Photo's with Purple Dot on all Social Media Platform including - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, ,Linkedin.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

How did this happen ?  Our INPEA active member Sailesh Mishra from India who is social media expert came with idea to involve all age and gender people across globe with mass reach out, the whole program revolved around Two Hastag #StandWithOlderPersons AND #PurpleDotChallenge. Susan Somers - Inpea President and Ellen Graham- Secretariat Coordinator of Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, approved the idea with deliberation. 

A hashtag, is sign #, is a type of metadata tag used on social networks such as Twitter and Instagram and other microblogging services. It lets users apply dynamic, user-generated tagging that helps other users easily find messages with a specific theme or content.

Some of photo's and images have been captured by Google search:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%23PurpleDotChallenge&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBD_enIN874IN874&sxsrf=ALeKk00S8WnfZ0p5gJmVHe9Tgx8Fv5rdWQ:1603339916100&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP0JzRqsfsAhVDzjgGHY1_BeUQ_AUoA3oECAQQBQ&biw=1366&bih=625

\

Please find below content and image that was used for successful Program: 

  

We #StandWithOlderPersons and accept #PurpleDotChallenge to raise Awareness and Prevention of Elder Abuse.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

INPEA wants social media users to post a picture of a #PurpleDot on their palm or any other place or paper and express their thoughts about Elder Abuse, Awareness, Stigma and Prevention.

INPEA has created a separate hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons to take a strong stand on Elders issues. Accept the Purple Dot Challenge and post it on your social media handles with hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons and #PurpleDotChallange

So friends let’s #StandWithOlderPersons and send your Purple dot challenge pictures with your thoughts on our / post social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

This Challenge is open from 1st June to 30th June. 

We will also post your support on our all social media accounts.

You can also forward us your pictures through E-mail at silverinnings@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 91+ 9987104.....

Creative Support by Web Solutions India.

Thanks to all for your support