The Maldives has stated that the relevant authorities are working with stakeholders to develop country's first National Elderly Policy to enrich lives of elderly persons.
A statement given by the Maldivian delegates at the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council, led by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Dr. Hala Hameed, stated that the Government of Maldives believes that to create a cohesive and progressive society, an equivalent emphasis needs to be placed on older and younger generations alike, and since 2007 the Government has taken progressive action to ensure the rights of older persons.
The statement highlighted the recent initiatives including the launching of a nation-wide campaign aimed at protecting and promoting the wellbeing of senior citizens, which facilitates special health screening and awareness raising targeted at the elderly population, capacity building for health and social workers, and interactive sessions targeted at youth to bridge the inter-generation gap between elderly and youth.
The 36th HRC Session will continue for 3 weeks, concluding on 29 September 2017. Similar to previous sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, the delegation of Maldives will actively participate in this session delivering a number of statements around an array of Agenda Items in the Programme of Work. This will include statements for two Panel discussions on the rights of Women and integrating the gender perspective, and Statements for Interactive Dialogues on rights of older persons and the right to water and sanitation, dialogue on right to development. Furthermore, the Maldives will also deliver statements on the Agenda Item for Universal Periodic Review of States.