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Labour and Social Services Minister Paurina Mupariwa has said.
Speaking at the belated United Nations International Day for Older Persons Minister Mpariwa said while other African countries already have laws protecting older persons, Zimbabwe is lagging behind.
“This year’s theme – Addressing the growing challenges and opportunities of ageing: a call for an enabling legislation – emphasizes the need for the Zimbabwe
Government to consider passing into law, the Older Persons Bill which has been on drawing cards since 2002.
“Zimbabwe was the first country in the Sadc region to work towards developing a policy for older persons by formulating a legislation known as the Older Persons Bill in 2002 and nine years down the line, the Bill still has not been passed into an Act of Parliament,” she said.
Minister Mpariwa said she was pleased to mention that the Older Persons’ Bill is being tabled before Parliament.
“The Bill has been through Cabinet and I am pleased to say it will be tabled before Parliament.
“This Petition (presented to her by the older persons) has become my weapon for me to lobby in Parliament,” she said.
Minister Mpariwa said although Government had stepped up efforts to assist vulnerable older persons with cash transfers, public assistance grants and grants for old people’s homes, it is not enough as the situation has not improved much in terms of improving their lives.
She said the population of older people is increasing at a dramatic rate.
“It is said by 2050, the number of the world’s older people will reach two billion up from the 1950 figure of 200 million.
“Thus as we commemorate the day for older persons, I urge all of us to spare a moment of thought and seriously come up with programmes, policies and legislation that address the challenges they face,” she said.
HelpAge Zimbabwe chairman Mr Edwin Murwira said an enabling legislation will enable the nation to recognise and respect the roles the older men and women have played and are still playing in shaping the country.
He said it is important to have a national budget for the aged to cater for their needs such as health, information and resources that are not being channelled to them now.
United Nations International Day for Older Persons is celebrated annually on October 1.
Online Reporter