Older people: “The Agony and Ecstasy”

In most countries including Sri Lanka, older people are often marginalised and their views are not taken seriously. We need to remember the truth that it is a deep spiritual virtue to care for parents and grandparents who have done so much for us in providing meals, education, healthcare and other vital factors for life. We also need to remember that people who grow old also become more mature. Their advise and guidance are important for us to play a responsible and productive role as citizens of this country.   

We need to contemplate on these virtues as we mark on October 1 the United Nations International Day of Older People with the theme being “the resilience and contribution of older women.” In a statement, the 193-nation world body says The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, with the past three years intensifying the socioeconomic, environmental, health and climate related impacts on the lives of older people, especially older women who constitute the majority of older people.   

While older women continue to meaningfully contribute to their political, civil, economic, social and cultural lives; their contributions and experiences remain largely invisible and disregarded, limited by gendered disadvantages accumulated throughout the life course. The intersection between discrimination based on age and gender compounds new and existing inequalities, including negative stereotypes that combine ageism and sexism. The 2022 theme of the UN International Day of Older People serves as a hallmark and reminder of the significant role older women play in traversing global challenges and contributing to their solutions with resilience and fortitude, the UN says.   

According to the UN, recognising the vital contributions of older women and promoting the inclusion of their voices, perspectives and needs are critical to creating meaningful policies to enhance a holistic response to local, national, and global challenges and catastrophes, UN International Day of Older People 2022 is a call to action and opportunity aimed to embrace the voices of older women and showcase their resilience and contributions in society, while promoting policy dialogues to enhance the protection of older people’s human rights and recognize their contributions to sustainable development.   

The UN says this international day’s objectives are to highlight the resilience of older women in the face of environmental, social, economic and lifelong inequalities; to raise awareness of the importance of improved world-wide data collection, disaggregated by age and gender and to call on member states, UN entities, UN Women, and civil society to include older women in the center of policies, ensuring gender equality as described in the Secretary-General’s report--Our Common Agenda.   

The composition of the world population has changed dramatically in recent decades. Between 1950 and 2010, life expectancy worldwide rose from 46 to 68 years. Globally, there were 703 million people aged 65 or more in 2019. The region of Eastern and South-Eastern Asia was home to the largest number of older people--261 million--followed by Europe and Northern America—more than 200 million.   

Over the next three decades, the number of older people worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion people in 2050. All regions will see an increase in the size of the older population between 2019 and 2050. The largest increase 312 million-- is projected to occur in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, growing from 261 million in 2019 to 573 million in 2050. The fastest increase in the number of older people is expected in Northern Africa and Western Asia, rising from 29 million in 2019 to 96 million in 2050--226 per cent. The second fastest increase is projected for sub-Saharan Africa, where the population aged 65 or over could grow from 32 million in 2019 to 101 million in 2050--218 per cent. By contrast, the increase is expected to be relatively small in Australia and New Zealand (84 per cent) and in Europe and Northern America--48%-- regions where the population is already significantly older than in other parts of the world.   

Michelangelo, the famous Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance says, “Many believe - and I believe - that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.” He died at the age 88 in 1564 and his famous painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica was brought out beautifully in the film titled “The Agony and Ecstasy.”