Lusiana Divokitira 
[Photo: FILE]
Minister for Women and Children Sashi Kiran says ageing in Fiji has been overlooked, as more than 90,000 Fijians are now aged over 60, representing at least one in ten of the
population.
“As a nation, we have taken for granted that our community will take care of our older persons, because we’ve had strong community networks, (1:30) and somewhere we overlooked the necessary development that had to happen for our older persons.”
Speaking during the opening of the Fiji’s Voluntary National Survey on the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, Kiran says strong community networks had led to an assumption that families and communities would continue caring for older persons, while necessary development for an ageing population was overlooked.
She says the Government is also working on a National Ageing Policy, by reviewing the implementing the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.
The plan provides a framework for improving the well-being, participation and dignity of older persons.
The discussions are also expected to identify gaps and areas requiring greater attention to ensure older persons are included in national policies.
Kiran says the process is important in strengthening Fiji’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of older persons.
