Human Rights Day event empowers elderly residents in Protea Glen
Seniors learn about their rights, access to services, and community safety during March 25 commemoration.
The Greater Protea Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD), in collaboration with the Greater Protea Community Policing Forum (CPF), hosted a Human Rights Day commemoration event on March 25 at Protea Glen.
The event was aimed at highlighting the importance of basic human rights, dignity, access to essential services, and community responsibility in ensuring safety and social justice for all, with a special focus on elderly citizens.
Representatives from various organisations, providing services such as healthcare, safety, and financial support, were invited to engage with elderly residents and inform them about their rights when accessing these services.
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Greater Protea Community Policing Forum secretary, Trudy Jabuvu, said the Human Rights Day commemoration aims to ensure that senior citizens understand their rights and recognise that, as citizens of the country, they are entitled to these rights in every aspect of their lives.
“As CPF members, we are witnessing what feels like a major pandemic in our communities. We see elderly people dying while they have protection orders, yet they remain vulnerable and unprotected.
“In many cases, this is because they do not fully understand their rights or what steps to take when those orders are violated. It is therefore crucial for our elderly to be educated about their rights, how to seek help, and how to access support services, especially within public institutions,” she said.
Jabavu further stated that it is important for people to know their rights, but also to understand that they have responsibilities in ensuring they respect others and contribute to maintaining order and safety within their communities while still upholding and protecting their own rights.
Deputy Chairperson of the Greater Protea Youth Crime Prevention Desk, Botlhale Letsholo, told Urban News that he believes that after the event, elderly residents will have a better understanding of the importance of knowing their rights and that these rights are in place to protect them at all time.
“Most elderly people tend to stay in abusive households because they are protecting their grandchildren or even their own children.
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“They often do not report the abuse because they feel that they may be causing conflict within their households.
“In many cases, they do not realise that they have rights and that they deserve to live in safe and dignified conditions, free from abuse and fear,” explained Letsholo.
Letsholo appealed to the public and families to treat elderly people with respect, as they are very important members of society who deserve dignity.
“I am glad that I attended the event today, as I learned about various rights that I did not know about. I am also glad to know that we still matter in society and that our voices and rights are recognised,” said attendee, Evelyn Mbatha.
