The situation of our elderly fellow citizens is still complex and unfavorable – many elderly people live in poverty or are at risk of poverty, many are exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, or disrespect and marginalization, said the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković in Smederevo where the Special report on discrimination against the elderly was presented.
After the report was presented in the National Assembly in May this year, it is important that the main findings of the report be presented at the level of local self-governments, because this is the level at which perhaps the most important decisions are made that affect the position of the oldest citizens. Smederevo is the first of three cities and municipalities in which the Special report will be presented in the coming days, the Commissioner announced.
It is the obligation of our society to enable the elderly to enjoy all rights fully and equally, the Commissioner pointed out, stating that the Institution of the Commissioner prepared the Special report on discrimination against the elderly together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), so that these important problems could be precisely defined and concrete measures to improve the position of the oldest citizens proposed.
The head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office in Serbia, Borka Jeremić, also spoke at the round table in Smederevo, and the research “For the Voice of Older Women” conducted by the “Amity” association was also presented.