The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the promotion, protection and enforcement of the rights of older persons in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing a two-day capacity-building workshop for NHRC staff as human rights defenders and advocates in combating elder abuse in Nigeria.
Ojukwu said older persons are right-holders entitled to dignity, equality and full protection under the law, “yet, many continue to suffer in silence, often invisible within our communities and systems”.
The NHRC boss said the training, organised by the Vulnerable Group Department (VGD) of the Commission, was to equip staff with the knowledge, skills and tools required to respond effectively to the challenges of the protection and promotion of the rights of older persons.
“It will deepen your understanding of older persons’ rights within national, regional and international human rights frameworks, while also strengthening your capacity to identify, document, investigate and advocate against elder abuse,” he said.
As frontline officers of the Commission, Ojukwu said participants play a vital role in ensuring that the voices of older persons are heard, their grievances addressed and their dignity upheld.
The training, according to him, is designed to enhance staff capacity in recognising and addressing various forms of elder abuse, strengthen advocacy skills for effective engagement with stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society and communities, and to promote a rights-based approach in all interventions concerning older persons.
The Executive Secretary said: He urged staff to ensure the promotion of the dignity and rights of older persons, detect and respond to elder abuse cases, advocate for policy reforms and engage communities and stakeholders.
“Every older person protected from abuse, every case resolved and every policy influenced bring us closer to a society where dignity and respect for all ages are guaranteed.”
In his speech, the Director of the Vulnerable Group Department of the NHRC, Dahiru Bobbo, said the Commission’s staff, as human rights defenders, serve as advocates of the rights of older people.
- Media Report