Waqas A Qureshi an expert of HelpAge International said that the 'Senior citizens' are facing number of problems including discrimination, health, poverty and protection of rights, this vulnerability of Senior citizens becomes double in disaster situations.
The media sensitisation workshop was organised by HelpAge International and UNFPA, highlighting the role of media regarding needs and rights of senior citizens in Pakistan.
The speakers and consultants stated that there is lack of legislation on rights of senior citizens in Pakistan. A senior citizen bill is pending in the parliament since 2007, the government should initiate the process of legislation for protection of rights of senior citizens, they demanded.
People from different media organisations participated in the event with an objective that media joined hands with civil society and senior citizens in Pakistan for protection of their rights in the shape of legislation. Resource persons at the workshop emphasised that many civil society organisations, humanitarian and development organisations are working for the rights of senior citizens in Pakistan but in order to modify or initiate new polices, a joint effort is required a bigger voice is required, and with the help of Media the goal can be achieved and Pakistan can facilitate its generation in a respectable way.
Participants were involved in different interactive activities and group discussions to realise the issues and concerns of senior citizens, Ms Amina Khan from HelpAge International explained the ageing and health and problems faced by senior citizens. A recent report "Ageing in the 21st Century: A Celebration and a Challenge" released by UNFPA and HelpAge International revealed that there will be more over the age of 6o than children under 15 by 2050.
Report highlights demographic shift, the role and contributions of senior citizens, voices of senior citizens as the development of report involves 1300 older women and men from 36 countries who share different experiences and their concerns. The report calls for national actions from the government to take serious actions to address the needs of senior citizens. The workshop was attended by Khalid Abbas Saif, Anwar Kamal, Dr Tanveer Ahmad, Syed Ziker Ullah Hussani, Arshad Siddiqui, Saleem Shahid, and Intzar Mehdi Nagina.