Every year on June 15 The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day(WEAAD), across the world. This day raises awareness about abuse and neglect of older persons and raising awareness about the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
No Theme Listed in United Nations Sites for the year 2020
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/elder-abuse-awareness-day
- https://www.un.org/development/desa/ageing/news/2020/06/weaad/
“Lifting Up Voices” is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’s theme launched by National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) – US Organizations. – Not Important for Exams. https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/weaad-home/
Purpose of WEAAD
- To motivate communities to recognize the problem of elderly abuse.
- To encourage countries to create policies for elders & also to provide them tools to continue to be productive citizens.
Significance of the day
The number of persons aged 60 years or above will grow by 38%, from 1 billion to 1.4 billion between 2019 & 2030, which will be more in developing countries. Elder abuse exists in developing as well as developed countries.
Virtual event– On June 16, 2020 there will be a virtual event for the day with the title, ” The impact of COVID 19 on violence, abuse and neglect of older persons”.
Background
- The designated day, June 15 was initiated by the International Network for the Prevention of Elderly Abuse(INPEA) in 2006 & was recognised as a United Nations Day by the General Assembly in its resolution adopted in 2011.
- 1st WEAAD was observed in 2012 in New York( UN headquarters).
Policy brief on the impact of COVID-19
The UN has launched a Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on older persons in May 2020.
Other UN days related to elderly
The UN every year on October 1 observes an International Day of Older Persons to recognize the contributions of older persons & inspect the issues that affect their lives.
About INPEA:
Headquarters- New York, United States of America(USA)
President– Susan B. Somers
About UN:
Headquarters– New York, USA
Secretary General– António Guterres
