Maureen Okpe
United Nations expert on The Enjoyment Of All Human Rights By Older Persons to Nigeria, has tasked the federal government on the inclusion of older citizens especially women in the decision making processes.
The UN Independent Expert, Claudia Mahler made the call on Friday during a courtesy visit to the minister of Women Affairs, in Abuja, noting that there is a gap in data, policy and practice on matters concerning the elderly in Nigeria.
Mahler stated that inequality and neglect are huge issues in the country and this gets aggravated as women get older, adding that Nigeria need to “put some importance on older women because they are vulnerable people in the society.”
She disclosed that the mission of team is to collaborate with the Ministry to create awareness on this issue and also, to “assess the situation” so as to get a fruitful exchanges and insights on what the UN can do to assist in remediating gaps.
She said, “as demographics are changing in favour of older women, all of us should get prepared to care of the elderly, stressing that climate change has a lot of impact on the lives of women especially those living in rural areas.
On her part, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, reiterated the need to take care of the elderly women, as they need attention, love and care.
Tallen maintained that, problem faced in the society today is traced to the neglect of the elderly, while commending the UN for having a mandate on the cause of older persons and for developing such mandates “where no one is left behind within gender equality.”
While recognizing the yeoman’s job being undertaken by Nigeria’s illustrious daughter, Amina Muhammed as UN Deputy Secretary-General on women and gender equality, the Minister assured the delegation of working with the UN System, particularly UN Women, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP to address issues affecting older women.