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Commemorations to mark the United Nations Day for Older Persons
HelpAge Zimbabwe
November 21, 2011

HelpAge Zimbabwe in collaboration with PRP, HelpAge International and the generality of the older persons in Zimbabwe will be holding belated commemorations of the international day for older persons on the 25th of November 2011 in Harare at the Harare Gardens. Commemorations to mark the international day of older persons are held annually on the 1st of October. The theme for 2011 is "ADDRESSSING THE GROWING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF AGEING: A call for an enabling Legislation"

The Minister of Labour and Social Services Honourable Paurina Mpariwa will officiate as guest of Honour.

The theme is meant to emphasise the need for the government of Zimbabwe to consider signing into law the Bill for older persons which was drafted in 2002. The Bill seeks to mitigate social, economic and psycho-social challenges being faced by older persons in their day to day living. HelpAge Zimbabwe will also be appreciating the contribution older persons make in caring for orphans and vulnerable children without even the resources to do so, their care giving role in the face of HIV and AIDS. A march will be conducted from Africa Unity square to Harare gardens, the venue for the commemorations.

The international day for older persons was set aside by United Nations and has become the greatest advocacy platform for older persons throughout the world. This year HelpAge Zimbabwe seeks to combat the perception that older persons are not important and should not be included in society as equal citizens. On this day HelpAge Zimbabwe will be appealing to the national government to support older persons and actively involve them in its policies. Older persons face a number of challenges in their day to day living.

HelpAge Zimbabwe is a charity organization established in 1989 which works with and for the older persons in Zimbabwe. The long-term aim of the organization is to improve the overall standard of living and health care for all older persons regardless of race, gender, religion or colour.

HAZ also acts to provide developmental support programs and community based initiatives in the areas of urban destitution, relief, aid, health institutional care, water provision training, advocacy, information dissemination, networking, housing and income generating projects. The primary aim of these projects is to make older persons as self sufficient as possible. HelpAge Zimbabwe is also committed to working with children, Human Rights groups as well as HIV/AIDS organisations in mobilising the community and resources in fighting the pandemic and enhancing the rights of older persons.

Visit the HelpAge Zimbabwe fact sheet

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