NIAMEY, (PNA/Xinhua) — Niger marked the International Day of Older Persons by calling for greater attending to the elderly population in the West African country.
The call was made by Nigerien Population Minister Maikibi Kadidiatou Dandobi on the eve of Tuesday’s celebrations of the older persons day with the theme of “Solidarity with Elderly Persons”.
The minister highlighted the important role of the elderly while deploring the poor treatment they receive in the modern world.
“We need to acknowledge and respect the dignity, authority, wisdom and the productivity of these people within our societies. We must promote a more positive image towards the elderly persons, ” she said.
The Nigerien parliament tried to promote the interests of elderly persons through the Constitution, adopting a law requiring the government to put in place social protection for the old.
Dandobi said a national policy of social protection adopted on Sept. 16, 2011 stipulates numerous benefits for the elderly persons, especially in the health and social support sectors.
She said the government will support the elderly persons so that they can live longer and are able to continue being actively involved in social affairs.