Beirut: A Lebanon-hosted workshop on Tuesday delved into the rights of elderly and disabled people across the wider Arab region, offering participants the opportunity to engage deeply with these critical issues.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the workshop, titled "Dare to Care," is a "groundbreaking regional program" aimed at transforming social norms and promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in the Arab region. Rodrigo Montero Cano, the program's manager and head of the UN Women's office for Arab states, addressed the gathering in Beirut, emphasizing that societies should be judged not by poverty rates but by how they treat their elderly and disabled populations. He highlighted that these groups, despite their challenges, can significantly contribute to economic development and prosperity.
Cano further noted the changing "demographic landscape" globally, predicting that the number of people over the age of 60, predominantly women, will double by 2050, necessitating increased attention to their social needs. Dr. Fadia Kiwan, director general of the Egypt-based Arab Women Organization, added that women's rights are often overshadowed by their male counterparts, with household responsibilities hindering their market participation.
Efforts to support the rights of the elderly and disabled, alongside women's empowerment measures, are seen as "human rights and gender parity" obligations. Dr. Kiwan urged Arab nations to enhance cooperation with regional and international organizations committed to these causes. Echoing her views, Nathalie Zaarour, National Commission for Lebanese Women executive board Secretary and Arab Women Organization executive board member, emphasized the need to support elderly and disabled people as crucial components of sustainable development plans.
Representing Kuwait at the workshop, Dr. Rehab Bourisly, a member of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities committee, stated that the primary aim of the workshop is to develop a "regional roadmap" to assess the needs of disabled and elderly people. Bourisly, who also serves as the second vice president of the Arab Organization for Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the workshop's role in shedding light on recent "demographic trends" and identifying potential "gaps" in statistical data on elderly care. It also aims to explore success stories of integration efforts targeting these groups.
Highlighting progress in Kuwait, Bourisly explained that national awareness efforts have positioned the elderly and disabled as "integral partners" in national development plans, with these groups benefiting from a broad range of state services. The workshop also examines global government successes in supporting the elderly and disabled, considering how cutting-edge technology and emerging tools can sustain these initiatives.