Age Demands Action 2010: The year of results

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Older people took action in more than 50 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.   

For many older people, this campaign is their only opportunity to meet personally with national government and call for changes to issues which their lives, such as pensions, healthcare, housing and access to work.

Speaking out for older people's rights: An ADA campaigner in Colombia. (c) HelpAge International Their actions have already brought about results in countries all over the world:

• More pensions in Kenya:

Over 300 older people marched through Uhuru Park in Nairobi. They asked for more money and better coverage of cash transfers for older people. As a result, the Ministry of Finance pledged to increase the amount of cash transfers for all older people.

Rhoda, a delegate from Kenya said: "I have learnt that even in old age I am able to do something worthwhile and constructive for my country."

• A new National Ageing Policy in Ghana:

Hundreds of older people joined brass band processions in Ghana. A delegation also met and called on the government to speed up the National Ageing Policy. Just four weeks after the meeting, it was approved by the cabinet. 

One older delegate said: "I feel good that I have been consulted on key issues for the Age Demands Action campaign. The issues are very real to us."

• A new older people's allowance in Sri Lanka:

Over 1,000 older people marched in Sri Lanka. A delegation of activists also met the Minister of Social Services to call for a pension for all older people over 70.

As a result, the Minister promised to implement a new senior citizens allowance of 2,000 Rupees (18 US$) per month for everyone over 75. This will improve the lives of thousands of older people and their families.

• An increased pension in Bangladesh:

Hundreds of older people formed a human chain in Dhaka's main square to call for an increase to the old age allowance. After this event, the Social Welfare Minister promised to increase this allowance in the next budget. This has the potential to make life easier for thousands of older people.

ADA 2010 in pictures

Even more successes:

• In Cambodia, the government is funding free healthcare for the poorest older people.
• The Prime Minister of Nepal signed the Age Demands Action petition and expressed his commitment to older people's rights.
• The Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family in Moldova pledged to ensure the current pension reaches the minimum subsistence level for older people in the country.
• In Mozambique, the government agreed to increase food subsidies for older people by 27% from January 2011.
• HelpAge's partner in the Philippines, the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) used their network of older people's groups and continued to lobby the government for a universal social pension. In 2010, the Senior Citizen's Act was passed which gave a pension of US$11 a month to the poorest older people in the Philippines.
• In Bolivia, older delegates met the Deputy Minister for Equal Opportunities. Following this meeting, the Ministry presented a draft law to protect older people from abuse to parliament.
• ADA campaigners in La Plata, Argentina won the support of the City Mayor to roll out recommendations from the cities brand new "Age Friendly Improvement Plan".
  

Watch the ADA 2010 video

Support older people's rights. Sign the Age Demands Action petition!