World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022: It is heartbreaking to see or hear about instances involving elderly people getting abused by strangers or their caregivers or even by their own family members. There are instances where elderly people are caught trapped in financial scams, cases of pure negligence by the caregivers for example lack of basic necessities, medication, hygiene, food or safety needs are some of the commonly reported issues.
History Of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is celebrated every year on June 15. The day has been established by the joint efforts of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization. The day was first celebrated in the year 2006. The UNGA has made a special recognition in its resolutions and has designated this day as one in which the entire world raises its voice opposing any form of abuse towards elderly people.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Significance
The aim of this day is to spread awareness about the abuse that the elderly face. The day aims at getting communities together in order to raise voices against such things and prevent elders from becoming victims of any sort of abuse.
The problem has been described as public health and human rights issue in the UN International Plan of Action. Reports suggest that 4 to 6 per cent of the elder population face some kind of abuse and most of these cases are not even reported. Therefore, WEAAD is celebrated so that we can pay attention to the older population and can prevent them from becoming victims of any sort of abuse.