CEBU CITY, June 18 (PIA) – One out of three older people worldwide suffer from some form of abuse as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Coalition of Services for the Elderly, Inc. (COSE) urged Filipinos to support a petition calling for a United Nations Convention to protect older people’s rights.
Just last June 15, the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was observed.
Activists throughout the world joined in the call on Age Demands Action for Rights campaign advocating for a new UN Convention on the rights of older persons.
Both the CHR and COSE said putting a stop to elderly abuse does not end with an advocacy alone as concrete action should be taken such as signing the online petition for a UN Convention on older people’s rights.
Those who want to sign the petition can log in to http://bit.ly/1otOuut #stopelderabuse.
According to the HelpAge-COSE Philippines Emergency Programme, one in every three older people around the world suffers some form of abuse as the need to take a stand is imperative to put a stop to elderly abuse.
The online petition targets 300,000 but as of June 9, the COSE-Philippines said the number of petitioners is still at 204,349
“We believe the contribution that older people make to society is invaluable,” said HelpAge-COSE Philippines. (rmn/fcr/ with reports from Mary Jane G. Conciliado, PIA-7 intern)