What happened in 2008?

In Juba

A delegation of older people, headed by Mrs Marcelina Denya, Chairperson of SSOPO, met with the Minister for Gender and Social Development from the Southern Sudanese Government. The Minister formally opened the meeting.

Key speakers presented discussion papers on Social Protection (Professor Vinansio Moludyang University of Juba), HIV and AIDS (Mr Kileopa Ramadan Senior), HIV and AIDS Counsellor and Rights of Older Persons (Mr Edmon Yakani – Civil Society Activist).

Participants at the meeting were interviewed by journalists from Sudanese radio and television companies and the weekly Citizen Newspaper.

The Minister for Gender and Social Development and representatives from NGOs and UN agencies took part in several workshops. Topics discussed included the needs and roles of older people in relation to social protection, HIV and AIDS and rights.

Panel discussions on these issues were also broadcast on radio and television.

The delegation asked that the government made a commitment to:

• Include older persons in their social protection programme.
• Increase the age of retirement from 60 to 65 years. This would enable older people to continue their participation in the nation's workforce for as long as they are able and willing.
• Ensure that HIV/AIDS data collection includes those aged 49-65, rather than the UN standard which is currently 14-49.
  

These suggestions were warmly received by the Minister. He also informed the delegation that:

• the Ministry of Social Welfare has already implemented a plan to provide a social security fund in the next financial year
  
• SSOPO and HelpAge International were invited to work with the ministry to come up with a draft policy for older persons
• she will refer the pensions issue to the President and to the Council of Ministers for discussion
  
• she will meet with the South Sudan AIDS Commissioner to discuss including older people in data collection at test centres.

The delegation

Mr. Bullen Ndeke, 68

Deputy Chairperson of Board for SSOPO (South Sudan Older Persons Organisation)

"This day is an important day for older people in Southern Sudan and the whole world at large. In Juba and the rest of Southern Sudan, the voices of older people are not heard in public places, nor by the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), nor by state assemblies.

"I hope with this day of celebration, GOSS and state governments will listen to the many problems affecting older people who are neglected, sometimes even by their relatives."

Mr Kileopa Ramadan, 75

Board Member (SSOPO)

"I am confident that the unique problems facing the older people in general have gained recognition and better understanding by our national authority through Age Demands Action".

Mr Severino Morli, 65

Treasurer (SSOPO)

"My personal expectation of this year’s celebration of older people is that it may achieve something good for the welfare of older people.

"I think that older people involved in the campaign will feel their presence in the community is respected and valued, and that adults and youths look to them for guidance."

Mrs Marcellina Denya, 66

Chairperson (SSOPO) Southern Sudan Older People Organisation

"The support or help that the older persons are giving their families should not be ignored.  While the working class leave homes for work, the older persons are left behind to take care of children (babysitters) or being guards (gaffirs).

"So we ask the government to see to it that older persons are considered for social funds like the other counties in Africa, for example,  Zimbabwe and South Africa. Uganda is now running a pilot project to support older persons."

In Darfur

Age Demands Action activities in Darfur will take place from 12-18 October, once the Muslim festival of Ramadan has ended.

In West Darfur, the delegation will meet with representatives from the Ministry of Social Services and Welfare, together with UN agencies and NGOs.

A day of celebrations with older people's speeches, music and chanting will encourage older people in the community to get involved.

Highlights from 2007

Two separate delegations were formed in the Sudan: one in Khartoum, and another in Juba. This was because of the varied political climate in the country.

The Khartoum delegation met with Dr Samia Ahmed Mohamed, the Minister for Social Welfare, on the eve of the celebration of International Day of Older People. Sudanese Society in Care of Older People (SSCOP) and HelpAge International held a seminar jointly with the Ministry of Social Welfare.

DrAhmed Mohamed attended the seminar and delivered a speech highlighting the issues concerning older people. She also announced a grant of £2,500 to SSCOP.

In Juba, SSOPO, HelpAge International Juba and older people themselves celebrated  International Day of the Older People (IDOP) on 1 October. This featured a media campaign to raise awareness of older people's issues.