NEPAL. Report on WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH (WEAAM) JUNE 15, 2012

Transcription

1 NEPAL Report on WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH (WEAAM) JUNE 15, 2012 Prepared by: Ageing Nepal House# 340, Ramchandra Marg, Battisputali, Kathmandu Ph: Website: Portal: i

2 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon s message for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 June, 2012 "The World Health Organization estimates that between 4 and 6 per cent of older persons worldwide have suffered from a form of elder abuse physical, emotional, financial. Furthermore, emerging research suggests that abuse, neglect and violence against older persons, both at home and in institutions, are much more prevalent than currently acknowledged. Such abuse is an unacceptable attack on human dignity and human rights. Making matters even worse, cases often remain unreported and unaddressed. Alarmed at this widening problem, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a new observance to be marked annually on 15 June. Respect for elders is an integral part of many societies. As people live longer, and as we strive for sustainable and inclusive development, it is time to revive and expand our appreciation for those who have advanced in years. A modern civilization can only live up to that name if it preserves the tradition of honouring, respecting and protecting society s elders. As we commemorate the Day for the first time, let us all join in reaffirming that the human rights of older persons are as absolute as those of all human beings. I call upon Governments and all concerned actors to design and carry out more effective prevention strategies and stronger laws and policies to address all aspects of elder abuse. Let us work together to optimize living conditions for older persons and enable them to make the greatest possible contribution to our world." ii

3 Executive summary This is the first time that we observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) as one of the UN recognized Days of observance. Also, this is the first time that INPEA supported Ageing Nepal for WEAAD activities. Encouraged by these factors, Ageing Nepal observed WEAAD throughout June to make it the World Elder Abuse Awareness Month (WEAAM). Ageing Nepal took three-pronged strategy for WEAAM: (i) organize awareness programs on its own, (ii) motivate and support other organizations and individuals for taking lead in organizing WEAAD activities, (iii) encourage organizations and individuals to participate in WEAAD activities. As a result, WEAAM was observed with unprecedented success in terms of (a) number of activities performed, (b) number of organizations and individuals involved and (c) number people reached with WEAAD message. Following is the summary of WEAAD achievements. 30 senior officers from six concerned ministries were involved National Human Rights Commission organized one program on its own and partnered with others on two events Three Radio stations were involved Two TV channels were involved Three Daily Newspapers published articles on WEAAD More than 100 NGOs and CBOs participated 12,500 people signed the ADA petition on WEAAD 223 undergraduate students of five colleges were sensitized A majority of Kathmanduits were reached through banners and pamphlets More than 300 stickers pasted in different public transport vehicles and places More than 30 volunteers, mostly students, mobilized WEAAD activities performed in more than 20 districts About 2000 booklets and pamphlets were distributed One documentary and one radio jingle produced Ten workshops and interaction programs conducted It is safely assumed that at least 25% of the population reached with WEAAD message by the use of media with potential to reach about 90% population. iii

4 Abbreviations ADA CBRC CSOs DDC HRA INPEA INSEC KMC MoE MoHP MoL MoWCSW NEP NFSC NGO NHRC NIC NSCF NTV NWC UN WEAAD WEAAM WHR Age Demand Action Ageing Nepal Community Based Rehabilitation Center Civil Society Organizations District Development Committee Human Rights Alliance International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse Informal Sector Service Center Kathmandu Model College Ministry of Education Ministry of Health and Population Ministry of Law Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare Nepal Participatory Action Network National Federation of Senior Citizens Non Governmental Organization National Human Rights Commission National Integrated College National Senior Citizens Federation Nepal Television National Women Commission United Nations World Elder Abuse Awareness Day World Elder Abuse Awareness Month Women Human Rights iv

5 List of major organizations involved in WEAAD 1. Ageing Nepal 2. Annapurna Post Daily 3. Bright Vision International College 4. Community Based Rehabilitation Center 5. District Development Committee 6. Gorkhapatra Daily 7. Help Age International 8. Human Rights Alliance 9. INSEC 10. Kathmandu Model College 11. K&K International College 12. Major Political Parties 13. Metro FM MHZ 14. Ministry of Education 15. Ministry of Health and Population 16. National Human Rights Commission 17. Ministry of Law 18. Ministry for Peace 19. Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare 20. Nepal Bar Association 21. National Integrated College 22. National Senior Citizens Federation 23. National Women Commission 24. Nepal Participatory Action Network 25. Nepal Television 26. NTV Plus 27. Radio Audio 28. Republica Daily 29. Sankalpa Nepal 30. Sishnu Pani Nepal 31. Supreme Court 32. Thames International College 33. Women Human Rights v

6 Table of content Cover page... i Message from Ban Ki-moon... ii Executive summary... iii Acronyms... iv List of major organizations involved in WEAAD... v Introduction... 1 Objectives... 2 Scope... 2 Activity... 2 Achievements... 8 Annex Photo gallery Introduction WEAAD was first developed and launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) on June 15, 2006 to support the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing. It involves activities to bring greater attention towards mistreatment of older people wherever they live throughout the world, and to highlight the need for appropriate action. It is intended to make abuse and neglect of older people globally relevant and known in order to initiate and sustain prevention efforts forward throughout the year, and for years to come. WEAAD involves national and international activities developed by countries, communities, neighborhoods and organizations collaborating in multigenerational and multidisciplinary initiatives. It includes volunteer and educational programs, cultural and art events, as well as diverse use of information technology, all aiming to create a better understanding of what elder abuse is and how it can be prevented. Ageing population is a relatively new concern for Nepali society with a culture of filial piety. However, as other societies across the globe, Nepali society is also changing fast and incidences of elder abuse and neglect are on the rise, though still a subject of social taboo. Support of many individuals and organizations, particularly of INPEA, made it possible for Ageing Nepal to sustain WEAAD activities thorough out the month of June The awareness program conducted includes orientation lectures on elder abuse in schools and colleges; essay competition among students; publishing articles in dailies and weeklies; radio and TV discussions; production and distribution of pamphlets; displaying placards and banners in public places; organizing group meetings and networking to increase the number of organizations and individuals involved in observing WEAAD. 1

7 Objectives The broad objective of observing WEAAM, 2012 was to make abuse and neglect of older persons a nationally recognized issue of concern for all. The specific objectives were: To sensitize Nepali society on elder abuse and neglect as they exist today and implications for the present and coming generations. To sensitize government authorities, civil society leaders, social organizations, media, and general public on prevalence of elder abuse and neglect. To motivate academia and government authorities in particular, for taking proactive measures such as research, training, formulating policies and legal instruments on elder abuse and neglect. Mainstreaming of the issue in mass media. Scope A large number of population including students, mass media, civil society organizations and government has been reached with the message of WEAAD, A majority of Nepali population is now equipped with the information necessary to come up with their own ideas as an individual or groups/organizations, take initiatives on their own, and pressure the local and central governments to make concrete proactive measures against elder abuse and neglect of the older people. Activity Recognizing that the WEAAD was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011, following a request by INPEA who first started the commemoration in 15 June 2006, Taking note of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message on WEAAD 2012, Noting that INPEA for the first time partnered with Ageing Nepal for observance of WEAAD 2012, Ageing Nepal (), in coordination and cooperation with the government, I/NGOs, civil societies, community organizations and individuals conducted various awareness building activities throughout the month of June, 2012 to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Month (WEAAM). Details of activities performed are presented below. 2

8 WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH (WEAAM) Summary of Activities (June 1-30, 2012) Date Activities Participating Organization(s) and venue Output/result Friday, - Prepare monthly plan of Ageing Nepal () Office - Plan prepared June 1 action on WEAAD - Org. & individuals listed - Identify organizations and - Campaign materials individuals to work with designed - Design pamphlets, banners, - Radio program prepared and stickers - Roles and responsibilities - Prepare for radio recording shared/defined among - Share roles and staff of Ageing Nepal responsibilities among Ageing Neal staff Saturday - Radio program recorded - Radio-Audio FM WEAAD message aired June 2 and aired (Poems, essays, Mzh with potential of jokes, satire, songs, reading ( reaching to 90%+ WEAAD messages). adio/nepal-radio-audio- population of Nepal on Sufficient material recorded 1063-FM.html every Saturdays of June, for 1 hour broadcasting at - 10 noted literary persons 2012 through people 9-10 pm on every of Nepal whose voice and names Saturdays on June 2,9, 16, - Sisno-pani Nepal, a NGO are commonly known in 23, and 30th. Nepal. - Ten noted literary figures and radio artists were involved Sunday Orientation session conducted -National Integrated College - 30 undergraduate June 3 for student/rotoracts and (NIC), Dillibazar, Kathmandu students of Business faculties Management and college faculties had a 90 minutes lecture/discussion session about ageing issues in general and Elder Abuse/WEAAD in particular Monday Orientation session conducted Thames International College, - 45 undergraduates were June 4 for undergraduate students of Purano Baneswor oriented to global issues Social Work Studies of ageing population and elder abuse - More than 30 students participated essays compition and Ist, 2nd, and 3rd were given prizes Lead Organizer 3

9 Tuesday Appealing participants of "Nepal -Ministry of Health and - 17 senior officers of the June 5 Ageing Survey" workshop to Population ministry of Health and participate in WEAAD Population, who were participating in a workshop, were briefed about WEAAD. Wednesday Finalization of banner, sticker Ageing Nepal, NEP and - Production of banners,, June 6 and booklet designs with logos Sankalpa Nepal stickers and booklets Sankalpa of govt. and other organization Ministry of Women, Children with logos of Nepal, and Social Welfare; National participating NEP, Human Rights Commission; organizations WHR, ADA Human Rights Alliance, National Federation of Senior Citizens Thursday Placing of banners in city Different city centers in, June 7 centers for public viewing Kathmandu, Sankalpa Ageing Nepal Nepal and NEP Workshop on Social Security and Hotel Orchid - About 60 people from Sankalpa Rights of Senior Citizens - NHRC different government Nepal organized - MoWCSW and non government - Supreme Court organizations, political - Major political parties, leaders and others were - Lawyers appraised of the - and other N/GO situation of Elder Abuse and Neglect Friday TV talk on WEAAD in Nepal - Nepal Television interview 30 minutes program aired for Sankalpa June 8 Television, a state media Mrs. Kamala Parajuli, Chair of all viewers of Nepal Nepal and Sankalpa Nepal and Mr. Television the state media Krishna M. Gautam, Chair of Ageing Nepal Media with potential to reach 90% population used Lecture given for undergraduate Kathmandu model College 63 students were oriented to students of Social work issues of ageing population and WEAAD Saturday Lecture on Elder Abuse to a - Training hall of 36 social workers (24 Female Sankalpa June 9 group of Social Workers from 10 Community Based 12 males) from 10 different Nepal districts Rehabilitation Center, districts were oriented Kavre district - Sankalpa Nepal - Ageing Nepal Sunday Orientation session for -K&K International College, 42 undergraduate students June 10 undergraduate students of social Naya Baneswor of Social Work were oriented work studies on WEAAD Monday Distribution of WEAAD Ribbon to -Ministry of Health and WEAAD rebbon were June 11 Government Officers Population distributed to senior officers of Ministry of Health and 4

10 Population (MoHP) Tuesday Signature collection campaign - NEP - 12,500 signatures NEP and June 12 - Helpage International Nepal collected Wednesday Signature collection campaign - 25 Volunteers of NEP and - 25 Volunteers from June 13 Ageing Nepal fom 6 districts NEP and Ageing Nepal Thursday *Signature collection campaign (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, mobilized in 6 districts June 14 Bardiya, Kailali, Kaski, Tanahu - posters and booklets on districts) were mobilized for WEAAD distributed to signature campaign where about 4000 people general public participated by - Government * Interaction program on signing in ADA petition representatives were WEAAD entitled Changing Cases - NEP, HelpAge requested to attend of Elderly Abuse and Policy International, Aging Nepal and meeting of Open Ended response In Nepal WHR Working Group from 21- *Radio jingle on WEAAD aired in 24 August meeting in Metro FM MHz New York - it was covered by the NTV Plus' main news Friday Interaction program on WEAAD -National Senior Citizens About 50 representatives NHRC and Jun 15 Federation from government and non- NSCF - NHRC government organizations, - NEP, Ageing Nepal, Nepal journalists and lawyers were Television, media houses, oriented to different aspects Helpage International, of WEAAD Government and Non-govt organizations, and noted personalities working on ageing * Radio Jingle on Metro FM NEP - About 35 thousand NEP and MHz aired repeatedly six Metro FM Radio Station Nepali people in 12 Helpage times during the day MHz districts heard that International * Interview of NEP member Gorkhapatra daily newspaper programme and knew Mr. Tej Adhikari on WEAAD a state media about the WEAAD * Article "Situation of Senior - About 200,000 people Citizens " Published in National reached with WEAAD Daily paper "Gorkhapatra" by message through NEP member Chet Nath Kanel newspaper Article on WEAAD published in a Annapurna Post - About 17,000 were popular vernacular daily reached with WEAAD Annapurna Post message Interaction program with senior -Ministry of Women, Children About 30 senior government Sankalpa officers from government and Social Welfare officers were appraised of Nepal ministries on rights of senior - Ministry of Health and WEAAD and its relevance citizens conducted Population - Ministry of Education - Ministry of Law - Ministry for Peace 5

11 - National Women Commission - District Development Committee, Kathmandu - Helpage International - Media houses - Lawyers -Human rights activists Saturday Putting up banners of WEAD in Students of Thames WEAAD banners were placed June 16 public places, distribution of international College doing in 8 city centers for public stickers, pamphlets and booklets internship with Ageing Nepal viewing Most of the Kathmandu population was reached through banners *Radio Jingle on Metro FM Helpage International and -People from 12 district Helpage MHz repeatedly aired 6 times NEP heard the jingle about senior International * Article "Respect of Senior citizens. & NEP Citizens " Published in National - 15,000 news readers were Daily paper "Gorkhapatra" by reached with the newspaper NEP member and ex MP article on WEAAD Gorakh Bahadur Bogti Article on WEAAD published in Republica Daily - About 25,000 readers of English Daily Republica the newspaper reached with WEAAD message Sunday Interaction program on WEAAD - Ministry of Women, Children About 50 representatives Sankalpa June 17 and Social Welfare from government and non- Nepal and -Sankalpa Nepal, government organizations, NHRC - National Human Rights journalists and lawyers were Commission oriented to different aspects -INSEC of WEAAD - Human Rights Alliance -NEP -Ageing Nepal - Helpage International and other NGOS and media * Radio Jingle on Metro FM HelpAge International and - About 150 thousand HelpAge MHz repeatedly aired 6 NEP people heard the jingle International times a day which gave moral to and NEP respect older persons Monday Putting up WEAAD stickers in -Volunteer students from - About 300 stickers were June 18 public transport and public Thames College pasted in public transport places vehicles and street walls in Kathmandu Tuesday Workshop on Review of Senior - Ministry of Women, Children -Senior Citizen Act 2006 was NHRC June 19 Citizen Acts 2006 and needed and Social Welfare reviewed and improvements improvements conducted -Sankalpa Nepal, suggested - NHRC 6

12 -INSEC - Human Rights Alliance -NEP -Ageing Nepal and other NGOS and media Documentary produced and - Nepal Television All viewers of NTV plus NEP aired two times on NTV-Plus - Helpage International reached with WEAAD under the programme Gantabya - NEP message loaded documentary. Wednesday The documentary aired on 19th NEP and Nepal Television All viewers of NTV plus NEP June 20 was also repeated by the TV station reached with WEAAD message loaded documentary. Wednesday One day workshop on WEAAD in Sankalpa Nepal and About 40 participants from Sankalpa June 21 Chitawan district Community Legal Research - District Development Nepal Center (CLRC) in Chitawan Committee, Chitawan District - Women n Development Officers, - Federation of Journalists - Press Chautari - Nepal Bar Association - NGOs - INSEC - Human Rights Alliance - Retired Civil Servants - Major political parties and other concerned organizations and individuals Distribution of booklets and -Volunteer students and - About 50 booklets and stickers to villagers in Pharping VDCs. Ageing Nepal Staff stickers distributed Friday Putting up WEAAD stickers in -Volunteer students from - About 200 stickers were June 22 public transport and public places Thames College pasted in public transport vehicles and street walls in Kathmandu Saturday June 23 One day workshop on "Rights and Security Concerns of Senior Sankalpa Nepal and 20 local organizations 36 participants from concerned organizations and Sankalpa Nepal Citizens" held in Janakpur individuals participated in the workshop Sunday HOLIDAY June 24 Monday Distribution of booklets and -Volunteer students and Ageing - About 100 booklets and June 25 stickers to villagers in Pharping VDCs. Nepal Staff stickers distributed Tuesday Lectures given to undergraduate - Bright Vision International - 43 students were June 26 students of Social Work College, Khumaltar sensitized on WEAAD Wednesday Report Preparation 7

13 June 27 Thursday One day workshop on "Rights Sankalpa Nepal and 17 local About 45 participants from Sankalpa June 28 and Security Concerns of Senior organizations concerned organizations Nepal Citizens" held in Birtamod of and individuals participated Jhapa district in the workshop Friday Report preparation June 29 Saturday HOLIDAY June 30 Achievements Major achievements of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month (WEAAM), June, 2012: Large number of students supported a campaign after the orientation lecture in different colleges. Many Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) like NEP, Sankalpa Nepal, Human Rights Alliance and National Senior Citizens Federation including National Human Rights Commission and Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare got committed to observe WEAAD at national level. Publication of article regarding elder abuse and neglect of older people in national dailies i.e. Gorkhapatra, Annapurna Post and Republica. Broadcasting of talk show, interview, dramas and songs regarding elder abuse and neglect of older people by Radios and TVs with potential of reaching out to 90% of the population. 8

14 Photo Gallery Figure1. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam, Chairperson of Ageing Nepal in talk show at Radio-Audio FM Mhz Figure2. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam presenting ageing issues in general and Elder Abuse/WEAAD Figure3. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam presenting on global issues of ageing population and their abuse Figure4. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam presenting about the sratus of older people in Nepal Figure 5. Banner designed by for WEAAD Figure 6. Elderly must be respected -Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2006

15 Photo Gallery Figure 7. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam involved in placing the WEAAD banner at the public place Figure 8. Local elderly looking at the WEAAD banner Figure 9. Trying to hang the WEAAD banner at the pillar Figure 10. Mr. Ashish Thapa Magar explaining elder abuse and neglect of older people at K&K college Figure 11. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam presenting about global ageing at K&K college Figure 12. Mr. Sachet Gurung of Thames College, winner of essay competition

16 Photo Gallery Figure 13. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam, putting on WEAAD ribbon to one of the senior officer of MoHP Figure 14. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam, putting on WEAAD ribbon to one of the senior officer of MoHP Figure 15. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam, putting on WEAAD ribbon to one of the senior officer of MoHP Figure 16. Elderly signing in the signature campaign Figure 17. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam explaining about signature campaign to the police officer at Basantaput, Kathmandu Figure 18. Elderly supporting the signature campaign

17 Photo Gallery Figure 19. Mr. Krishna M. Gautam with volunteers in signature capaign at Patan, Lalitpur Figure 20. Collected signatures at Singh Durbar, Kathmandu Figure 21. Mr. Fatik, Executive Direcctor of NEP in signature campaign at Mangal Bazar Figure 22. Mr. Gautam explaining about signature campaign at Ratna Park Figure 23. Participants in interaction program organized by National Human Rights Commission Figure 24. Lecture program at Bright Vision Int'l College

18 Photo Gallery Figure 25. Mr. Gautam in interaction program organized by National Federation of Senior Citizens at LDTA, Jawalakhel Figure 26. Ms. Kamala Parajuli, Chair of Sankalpa Nepal in interaction program at Chitwan Figure 27. Honorable member of NHRC, Mr. Ram Nagina Singh in interaction program at Janakpur Figure 28. Volunteer of placing a sticker at pharmacy Figure 29. Sticker at Pharping Figure 30. Mr. Magar interacting with local elderly at Pharping