President Sirleaf Declares October 1 ‘Older People Day
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared, Saturday, October 1, 2016 as ‘Older People Day,’ and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the observance is to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly and to appreciate the contributions they have made to society in the areas of education, medicine, economic, science and technology, social services, history as well as preservation of cultural heritage.
The release says the event will be celebrated under the international theme: “Take a Stand against Ageism,” and observed under the local theme: “Older People in Liberia Deserve Better.”
The Proclamation further added that as part of this year’s observance, a major event has been planned by Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL) to celebrate UN IDOP, which is the second (2nd) National Aging Conference of Liberia, slated to be held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Church on 9th Street, Saturday, October 1, 2016.
The Proclamation further calls upon all national and international organizations, United Nations Agencies, and citizens, in-general to cooperate with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in organizing appropriate programs befitting the occasion.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is the legally recognized institution in Liberia charged with the authority to provide services and address the needs of older people in the country in collaboration with non-governmental organizations such as COCAEL.
The Presidential Proclamation further notes that in keeping with the legal and moral standards and expectations set in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to modify laws, regulations and customs that discriminate against older women, and the Resolution of the African Union to protect the rights of older people, the observance has become necessary to protect the rights and interest of old folks in Liberia.
