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| Friday, 1 October 2004 |
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Towards a national policy for the elderly in Sri Lanka by Leel Gunasekera
Longevity has been an age old quest of mankind. Yet the rapid attainment of a longer life span in the twentieth century has brought about the global phenomenon of demographic ageing and resultant consequences which confront many countries. Population ageing has become one of the leading demographic issues the world has to face. As a developing Asian country, Sri Lanka is no exception to the global trend of population ageing and its resultant social and economic implication. Sri Lanka ranks high as a country with a rapidly ageing population. Out of a population of 18.9 million in 2000, 9.3% or 1.760,000 was estimated to be over 60 years of age. In 2025 year, the population is estimated 18% and in 2050 around 27.6%. (World Population on Ageing 1950-2050 UN 2002). It also estimated that by 2050, Sri Lanka would have a population of which 50% would be over 50 years of age. Hence the current situation of the elderly in Sri Lanka and the emerging trends need serious consideration. (Preamble to the draft National Policy for Elders in Sri Lanka). Generally, the priority given by government to national policies for elderly has been low in Sri Lanka as pointed out by the Social Services Commission, Jennings Report in 1948 too. However, with the United Nations Declaration at the World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 and the introduction of the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, Sri Lanka established a National Committee for the Elderly in 1982. Thereupon, policy formulation has gathered momentum and it was also namely in view of the emerging situation of elderly with the increase of older persons in numbers and proportion. Those concerned in respective areas of responsibility such as demographers, policy makers, government and non-government authorities and the elders themselves are now mindful of the above situation due to greater awareness of the problems of the elderly. The National Committee for Elderly under the Ministry of Social Services (now called the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social Welfare) has been spearheading the formulation of a national policy, a Plan of Action with fourteen strategies. The inspiration being from the United Nations interventions with its annual initiatives with an International Elders Day to activate the government, non-government sectors and the elders themselves with the community at large. The emerging situation of the elders demanded formulation of landmark legislation to be paved by Government unanimously cited Act No. 9 of 2000 for the Protection of the Rights of Elders. Under the Act, the National Committee established in 1982 was converted to a National Council to be appointed by the President of Sri Lanka. The Council is assisted by a National Secretariat for the Elderly and a Board for Determination of Claims for maintenance of elders. The Council has a National Fund for the welfare of elders. This National Council, which represents relevant voluntary sector, organizations led by HelpAge, Sri Lanka and Ministries related to the subject of the elderly has the responsibility of advising the Government on the promotion of welfare and protection of the rights of the elders. It is expected to strengthen the family base of the elders and to empower the elders in relation to the Principles for the Elders accepted by the United Nations, namely independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity (U.N. General Assembly 1991). The National Plan of Action, which was formulated in 1982 has been revised from time-to-time and emphasizes a humanitarian and developmental aspect to improve the quality of life of the elderly. It envisages strengthening the family unit with socio-economic cultural and spiritual wellbeing. The ESCAP Plan of Action for the Asian Pacific countries including Sri Lanka under the Macao Declaration (1998) covers seven main areas of concern in this respect, namely, (a) social position of older persons, (b) older persons and the family, (c) health and nutrition, (d) housing transportation and built-environment, (e) older persons and the market, (f) income security maintenance and employment, (g) social services and the community. The Sri Lanka Policy for older persons is; (a) To prepare the population for a protective and fulfilling life at old age socially, economically, physically and spiritually; and (b) To ensure independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity for those in old age. The objective is to give leadership and policy initiative to create a healthy environment for older persons within the cultural moves and religious practices. In order to achieve the objective and to implement the Plan of Action in relation to the National Policy the following new strategies are adopted to face challenges considered as an opportunity with well coordinated activity by a National Council. Strategies to be adopted; 1. Create awareness of ageing population 2. ensure health, nutrition and recreation; 3. Promote appropriate housing, transportation and living environment; 4. Strengthen family unit to take care of parents and other older persons, 5. Provide access to appropriate education and training; 6. Provide social welfare and protection; 7. Provide adequate counselling services; 8. Provide income security and promote suitable employment' 9. Ensure consumer protection; 10. Encourage community participation; 11. Cater to cultural and spiritual needs; 12. Provide Legal protection; 13. Conduct research and disseminates information; 14. Attend to special needs of elders. In adopting these strategies from the implementation of the Plan of Action, which was evolved since 1982 and revised from time to time, the participation of the elders themselves is very necessary. hence empowerment of the older persons with the formation of elders village committee now numbering nearly 4000 under the Divisional Secretariat areas is envisaged to cover the whole country. Once the whole country is thus represented, it is hoped to form the National Federation of the Older Persons of Sri Lanka to assist the National Council for the Elderly for mutual benefit in implementing the National Policy. Since the National Policy for Elders needs greater recognition, the National Council has now finalized the revised draft National Policy taken up at a national level seminar in August 2004. It is hoped to introduce the National Policy for the elderly for Parliamentary Sanction along with a National Charter for the elderly. Thereby the National Policy seeks to assure older persons that their concerns are national concerns and they will not live unprotected, ignored or marginalized. The goal of the National Policy is the well being of the older persons. It aims to strengthen their legitimate place in society and help older persons to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity and peace. The policy visualizes that the State will extend support for financial security, health care, shelter, welfare and other needs of older persons, provide protection against abuse and exploitation, make available opportunities for development of the potential of older persons, seek their participation and provide services so that they can improve the quality of their lives. The policy is based on some broad principles. The policy recognizes the need for affirmatives action in favour of the elderly. It has to be ensured that the rights of the older persons are not violated and they get opportunities and equitable share in development benefits in different sectors of development, programmes and administrative actions will reflect sensitivity in older persons living in rural areas. Special attention will be necessary for older females so that they do not become victims of triple neglect and discrimination on account of gender, widowhood and age. These deliberations would augur a brighter future for the increasing number of our elders considered a national resource thus justifying the age old aspiration 'may you live long with health and happiness which means active ageing. (The writer is the president of the Policy Formulation Committee of the National Council for the Elderly in Sri Lanka and former Regional Advisor, Social Development Policy and Planning, UN-ESCAP, Bangkok) |
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