Older Persons Act at last!!!!
 
The Older Persons bill was signed into law by the President of the republic of Zimbabwe on the 18th of September 2012.
The Act will pave way for selected social protection mechanisms and an older persons fund will be set aside for such purposes.

Through this Act, a commission or board that will ensure the smooth implementation of the older persons act as well as addressing other emerging issues affecting senior citizens in Zimbabwe will be set up. This board will also work hand in glove with all relevant authorities and include older persons themselves in policy implementation.

Apart from these provisions, the act brings with it respect and recognition of the grey head. Due to the dilapidation of the social fabric, older persons were no longer recognized as important and equal members in society.

Sekuru Gumbochuma (69) a retired marketing manager of one of the leading beverages manufacturers indicated that “ I have been changing jobs as much as I change shirts, I’m not on pension at the moment. I have read in newspapers that people survive on one dollar a day or less. I rarely get that dollar but today I’m happy that at least one day I will be able to receive a pension from my government. At least in a way I will get back into the cash economy. You see older persons have been suffering for years and this act will alleviate most of the problems faced by older persons”
Mbuya Gumbo (88) of Zvishavane added that they can now afford to look after those under their care well.

 “We can now look after orphans and other children under our care without many difficulties. I encourage the government to ensure that we quickly receive our pensions for we have suffered a lot”, she said
The older person’s bill was drafted by the then Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (now Ministry of Labour and Social Services) in June 2002 following recommendations made at the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing Summit in May that same year. Zimbabwe made history by becoming the first African country to draft a policy meant to improve the living standards of older persons in the country.

But 10 years down the line and passing through the hands of at least five Ministers the older persons bill did not see the light of the day.
Armed with its mandate to improve the living standards of all older persons in Zimbabwe, regardless of race, gender, political affiliation and creed or colour, HelpAge Zimbabwe (HAZ) took it upon itself to ensure that the older person’s bill is enacted. The long journey had its ups and downs, smiles and frustrations but today, the dignity of older persons has been restored.
HelpAge Zimbabwe Director Mrs. Priscilla Gavi was on cloud nine after she received news that the bill had been signed by the President.

“For the past 10 years HelpAge Zimbabwe has been trying without success to have a law that protects older persons .However, this year is historical for having an Act of Parliament that covers the rights of older persons. This was achieved by the enactment of the law and this fulfilled HAZ vision to have a well-cared for older generation”, said Mrs Gavi.
Mrs. Gavi was also thank- full to all those who contributed to HAZ mission of having a society of all ages that respects each individual regardless of their age.

“Many organizations, individuals, and government departments played a major role in attaining this feat. I would like to extend my appreciation of the role played by the Ministry of Labour and Social Services for drafting the older persons bill in 2002, The PRP which represents a consortium of donors led by DFID for financing some of HAZ advocacy initiatives and pilot projects, HelpAge International through the Age Demands Action campaign, HAZ Board of Directors staff, Friends of HelpAge Zimbabwe, the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Labour and Social Services for understanding the plea of older persons, older persons groups who participated in various advocacy activities over the years and all stakeholders ,” she stated.

“Our role is to complement Government efforts at all times by mobilizing resources and we are pleased that the first part of this exercise to have an Act of parliament is complete, and the challenges of implementation and further reviews remain everyone’s business and work in progress.”

Older persons demand Universal Pensions

The greatest honour that any government would ever give to its citizens is the right to freely express their thoughts and feelings concerning issues that affect them and offer possible solutions. The 14th and 15th of June 2012, is a day which many older persons in Zvishavane and Hwedza will never forget.
 

This is the day when HelpAge Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the PRP conducted Public Hearings on the Older Persons Bill in Zvishavane and Hwedza respectively. This was the first time, since 2002, when the older persons bill was drafted, that parliament, through the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour and Social Services had to consult the views of older persons. The over 200 older persons who attended each of the public hearings expressed their joy to have an opportunity to speak face to face with the more than 10 Parliamentarians who conducted the public hearings led by the chairperson of the committee Hon. Margaret Zinyemba.

Ambuya Pedzisai of Zvishavane could not hide the joy of seeing parliamentarians coming to the grassroots seeking older persons contribution to the Older Persons Bill, she said "i'm very happy that parliament has beenn brought down to the villages, i consider myself a parliamentarian in my own right for i can participate in poliy formulation.

 

The need for the government to provide Universal Pensions, health assistance and support in terms of food provision and orphan care support came out clearly. The Older Persons Bill 2011 is currently proposing for the provision of Social Welfare Assistance, which will only be handed out upon application by destitute and vulnerable older persons. In public hearings conducted in Zvishavane and Hwedza, older persons specifically requested for the government to allocate them with universal pensions. Several reasons to support the request where sited but chief among them included, the caring role of older persons, where they are currently caring for orphans and other vulnerable children. Some older persons even mentioned that they have sold their assets, in the form of cattle and goats amongst other livestock all in an effort to look after their children and orphans under their care. Older persons also demanded that the bill should cover all persons 60 years and above and not use the 65year cut off.

 

Some older persons also indicated that issues to do with care and support for older persons should include long and short term assistance. at the moment the short term needs were specifically highlighted as food assistance , clothing including blankets and other basic necessities. Long term assistance will then look into issues to do with access to health. Other older persons highlighted that the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare should review the nurse training curriculae to include pediatrics and geriatrics training.

 

Concerning a board or commission to further look into the needs and welfare in the country, older persons noted that this was a worthwhile move which is long overdue. However they proposed for the representation of older persons at all stages, from ward level to cabinet. This they indicated, will ensure that issues that affect older persons will be articulated and receive due recognition at all stages.

 

Other emerging issues include the provision of water and sanitation facilities that can be accessed by older persons, the need for their healthy needs to be fully covered as older persons are currently only receiving consultation services from Government hospitals and they have to purchase medication on their own, extended support in line with their caring role for orphans and other vulnerable children. The Parliamentarians allowed older persons to air their problems freely to be able to get the true picture of the plight of older persons.

 

On transport, older persons also said that their travelling costs within Zimbabwe should be free as they have gone past the age of enjoying free rides but that they only travel when it is very necessary and that their ID should become their bus tickets.

The Minister of Labour and Social Services is now expected to present the Older Persons Bill to parliament as second reading. Thereafter the bill will be open for debate in the house of assembly.