Grace Egila
UN Experts Seek Partnership with Women Ministry as the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen said that senior citizens should not be left behind in order for them to enjoy their old age.
She disclosed this recently while receiving the delegation of the United Nations Independent Experts on the enjoyment of All human rights by older persons to Nigeria in an official visit.
In a statement on Friday, Olujimi Oyetomi, the Director Press & Public Relations Officer said the Minister who warmly welcome the UN team in the company of the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi re-emphasized that the mission of the team is already part of the ministry’s mission, Vision and Mandates of the ministry.
According to the statement, Tallen promised to work with the team on their laudable mandates; saying that: ” our children have a lot to learn from the wisdom of the elders.”
She maintained that elderly people need our attention, care, and love.
Tallen disclosed that the problem faced in society today is traced to the neglect of the elderly.
She commends 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.”
Without mincing a word, the Minister said that issues of gender-based violence, climate change, and a crime against humanity must be addressed.
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, and UNDP to address issues affecting older women.
Earlier, Ms Claudia Mahler in the company of her team thanked the Minister for warmly receiving her and the members of her team, requesting Nigeria to “put some importance on older women because they are vulnerable people in the society.”
“Mahler’s team has already pulled in, the Director-General, Senior Citizens Commission of Nigeria, Dr. M.M. Omokaro to join the Women Affairs Team that will give her insight into how older women are being treated in Nigeria and suggestions on what the UN can do to assist in remediating gaps”.
Mahler stated that inequality is a huge issue in Nigeria, especially for older women as this gets aggravated as they get older.
“Barring all the issues about neglect and inequality, Tallen saw a lot of resilience and strength in Nigeria’s older women”.
She further stated that there is a need for us to take care of our elderly women.
“The visiting UN Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons to Nigeria asserts that there is a gap in data, policy, and practice on matters concerning the elderly.
“They are not included in the decision-making process”.
She observed that as demographics are changing in rrrrr of older women, all of us should get prepared to care for the elderly; stressing that climate change has a lot of impact on the lives of women, especially those living in rural areas.
The expert said that the mission of the team is to collaborate with the Ministry to create awareness on this issue and also, to “assess the situation” so as to get fruitful exchanges and insights from the Ministry.
