Accountability to older women and men

Magda RossmannAccountability Officer

mrossmann@helpage.org

World Vision Accountability to Communities Workshop17th – 20th September 2013, Geneva

The world is ageing fast…

• There are more adults over 60 than children under 5

• By 2030, there will be more people over 60 than under 10

Gaps and challenges

Are we accountable to older women and men?

“Nowadays there is no more respect for old people in the community. Back in the old days in Somalia the young used to bring milk and meet the old people. This was the form of respect given to them. Those values are lost in this place. I even have to go and beg for my firewood.” Ajabo Ahmed, around 70 years old, Dadaab camp, Kenya (2011)

Gaps and challenges

Contrary to common beliefs, older people are not always cared for by their family and community.

Patterns of discrimination may actually be accentuated in the drive for survival in humanitarian crises.

When excluded by their own communities and families, older people may become isolated and be unaware that humanitarian assistance is available

Gaps and challenges

In principle, older people may be recognised as a vulnerable group. In practice, however:• Data about them is often not collected

Gaps and challenges

Programmes are not tailored to meet older people’s specific needs

Gaps and challenges

They are minimally consulted in the planning and execution of programmes and humanitarian operations

“Most people who left Jada went to Chad but me and my sister were too old to walk there, and my legs get very sore, so we came to this camp instead.” Halima, age unknown, Darfur (2004)

Gaps and challenges

Their capacity to be active participants in recovery and response is ignored

"I need cash to support my recovery. I would be able to rebuild my home and to help my sons to invest in a business so they can support themselves and the family.” Myriam, 69 years old, Badin, Pakistan (2011)

Accountability to older people – key actions

Participation

• Data disaggregated by age and sex• Inclusion of older people in needs

assessments • Older People Associations and Older

Citizens Monitoring Groups

Information sharing

Communicating with Older People

• Gender and age matter• Religious and traditional beliefs• Language• Respect

Communicating with older people: 10 tips

1. Ensure peaceful environment and good acoustics

2. Speak clearly but not too loud: it is a common misunderstanding that shouting makes people hear you better

3. When needed, hold separate group discussions with older women and older men

4. Group meetings not longer that 1,5 hours5. One topic at the time

Communicating with older people: 10 tips

6. Examples work better7. Repeat your message8. Speak the local language 9. Ensure people can understand you10. Be respectful!

Complaints mechanisms

• OPAs and OCMs• Kenya intergenerational helpdesks

Kenya help desks

Intergenerational community help desks were established as a mechanism to enhance accountability to the community.

The help desk committee members received training on accountability and documentation as well as awareness on HIV and AIDS.

Protection Policy

• For children and vulnerable adults

Vulnerable adults are those aged 18 years or more who either:• identify themselves as unable to take care of

themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

or• due to their gender, old age or frailty, mental

health problems, learning or physical disabilities as well as disasters and conflicts, and are unable or unwilling as a result to identify themselves as vulnerable or subject to abuse, but are deemed at risk

Thank you!

Questions? Comments?

Group work

• Examples of current practice / involvement of older people

• Key challenges• Opportunities