South Sudan Older Persons Organization or SOPO Chairperson says government authorities neglected the welfare of elderly persons in the country.
Marcellina Denya told Radio Bakhita on Thursday that the government puts more emphasis on helping other vulnerable groups like children, widows and people with disabilities, forgetting them.
She calls on the government to initiate a social welfare program that can help old people with lifesaving necessities, urging the regime to ensure that old persons are represented in the Legislative Assemblies at all levels.
United Nations General Assembly in 1990 designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons to respond to opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and promote the development of a society for all ages.
The theme of the 2015 commemoration is ‘Sustainability and age inclusiveness in the urban environment’.