The Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament in Mahikeng is an event that aims to promote understanding, respect, and support for the dignity and rights of older individuals. It seeks to empower senior citizens by providing them with a platform to express their concerns and propose their ideas. By encouraging engagement, collaboration, and self-representation among older individuals, their opinions will be taken into account across various activities that impact their lives. The ultimate goal is to enhance the dignity and well-being of older persons in the North West Province.
What is the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament in Mahikeng?
The Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament is an event hosted by the North West Provincial Legislature to strengthen oversight and accountability on issues affecting senior citizens and promote understanding, respect, and support for their dignity and rights. The event aims to empower senior citizens within the North West Province by providing them with a platform to express their concerns and propose their ideas. It also fosters collaboration among stakeholders and contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by older persons.
Fostering Understanding and Support for Older Persons
On the 27th of October, 2023, the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament will be hosted by the North West Provincial Legislature at the Seasons Wedding and Conference Venue in Mahikeng. This assembly has been organized under the theme “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons,” and will involve a collaboration between the Office of the Rights of Older Persons, the Department of Social Development, and the Older Persons Provincial Forum.
The sectoral parliament’s main purpose is to strengthen oversight and accountability on issues affecting senior citizens. Additionally, it seeks to promote understanding, respect, and support for the dignity and rights of older individuals, while establishing sustainable stakeholder relations aimed at deepening participatory democracy.
Numerous important subjects will be addressed during the event, such as mental health in older persons and the gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) experienced by this demographic. The meeting also aspires to provide a platform for senior citizens to express their concerns, with a focus on enhancing their quality of life, improving health and well-being, and supporting active ageing programs. The ultimate goal is to foster a favorable view of ageing as a natural stage in human development.
Promoting Participation and Collaboration
By encouraging engagement and self-representation among older individuals, their opinions will be taken into account across various activities that impact their lives. Representatives from multiple organizations, including the Provincial Older Persons Forum, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, the Office of the Premier, the Office on the Status of Older Persons, and Municipal Focal Desks, are expected to attend. Additionally, senior citizens from all municipal areas and service points in the province are invited to partake in the event.
To ensure that those who cannot be present in person can still follow the discussions and share their thoughts, the North West Provincial Legislature will live-stream the event on their Facebook page.
Apart from its primary goals, the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament serves as an opportunity to enhance inter-departmental cooperation and collaboration between the various organizations that advocate for the rights and well-being of older persons in the North West Province. Furthermore, this event will contribute to the development of future policies and initiatives that will benefit senior citizens in the region.
Empowering Senior Citizens
The partnership between the North West Provincial Legislature, the Office of the Rights of Older Persons, the Department of Social Development, and the Older Persons Provincial Forum highlights the dedication of these organizations to address the needs of senior citizens and ensure that their rights are protected. By actively involving multiple stakeholders, substantial progress can be achieved in enhancing the dignity and well-being of older persons.
The Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament is more than just a gathering of like-minded individuals; it is a chance for older persons to actively participate in discussions and decision-making processes that directly affect their lives. By providing them with the opportunity to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and propose their ideas, the event aims to empower senior citizens within the North West Province.
In conclusion, the forthcoming Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament in Mahikeng is a vital event for both older persons and the organizations working to support their rights and well-being. By encouraging productive discussions, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and offering a platform for older persons to have their voices heard, the sectoral parliament will contribute to a better understanding of the challenges faced by senior citizens and the ways in which these challenges can be addressed.
1. What is the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament in Mahikeng?
The Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament is an event hosted by the North West Provincial Legislature to strengthen oversight and accountability on issues affecting senior citizens and promote understanding, respect, and support for their dignity and rights.
2. What is the purpose of the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament?
The event aims to empower senior citizens within the North West Province by providing them with a platform to express their concerns and propose their ideas. It also fosters collaboration among stakeholders and contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by older persons.
3. What is the theme of the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament?
The theme of the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament is “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons.”
4. When and where will the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament take place?
The Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament will take place on October 27th, 2023, at the Seasons Wedding and Conference Venue in Mahikeng.
5. Who is expected to attend the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament?
Representatives from multiple organizations, including the Provincial Older Persons Forum, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, the Office of the Premier, the Office on the Status of Older Persons, and Municipal Focal Desks, are expected to attend. Additionally, senior citizens from all municipal areas and service points in the province are invited to partake in the event.
6. How can those who cannot attend the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament participate?
The North West Provincial Legislature will live-stream the event on their Facebook page, which will allow those who cannot be present in person to follow the discussions and share their thoughts.
7. What are some of the topics that will be addressed during the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament?
The event will address important subjects such as mental health in older persons and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) experienced by this demographic.
8. What is the ultimate goal of the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament?
The ultimate goal of the Senior Citizens Sectoral Parliament is to enhance the dignity and well-being of older persons in the North West Province by promoting understanding, respect, and support for their rights and empowering them to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
