African population to triple in the next 30

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DR Congo refugees

Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lazarous Kapambwe says Africa’s population for the aged has been projected to triple in the next 30 years.

Mr. Kapambwe says therefore African Governments are being urged to formulate policies that will serve to protect old persons from abuse, discrimination, marginalization and neglect.

He says while Africa is often described as a youthful continent, the age structure in the region has dramatically changed due to the decline in fertility and mortality rates in the region.

Mr. Kapambwe was speaking on behalf of Africa at the Fifty-Sixth Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development discussing global review of the outcomes of the third review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

He said older people in many African countries often experience human rights challenges which included age discrimination, abuse, neglect and gaps in the provision legal protection.

Mr. Kapambwe told the United Nations that Zambia has formulated policies meant to protect the aged through specific social protection programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer, Food Security Packs and Farmer Input Support Programme -FISP mainly targeted at the vulnerable and potentially destitute older persons.

He said Zambia has already developed a national policy on ageing to address the many challenges the older people are facing.

This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary Press at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations Wallen Simwaka.
ZNBC

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