As the world marked the International day of older persons on 1st October 2019, a United Nations day observed to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly, the International Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA) Abuja branch went all out to appreciate the contributions older people make to the society.
Being aware of the importance of this day, members of the association marked the day with older persons of the AMAZING GRACE HOME located at Kado Estate in Abuja metropolis.
FIDAns as they are fondly called spent most of the day with them, sharing and generally showing them love and affection.
Aside from giving their time, the women lawyers took with them a lot of gift items in cash and in kind.
Unlike refugees, women and children, persons with disabilities or other groups, older persons are not protected by any specific human rights instrument; which may explain the lack of representation of the unique challenges faced by the elderly, in terms of global policy, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Across the length and breadth of the country many have been abandoned by people that they once loved and catered for on account of being old. Others found themselves in such situations as a result of the vagaries of life. They have neither children nor relatives to look after them and so despite their frail frame occasioned by old age, they just have to fend for themselves.
There are also some who are the draughtsmen of their own misfortune. They denied their children love and proper breeding. Today they are harvesting what they sowed. Many wish to die so they could be free from their sufferings; but even death defied them.
Elderly people in these categories no doubt need the assistance of the society. That perhaps explains why Chief Mrs Ifeyinwa M. Obegolu, PhD, founded the Amazing Grace Home with the vision to “protect the rights of the Elders, Widows & Victims of domestic violence.”
