Global initiatives focus on elderly rights and social welfare

Various regional initiatives and advocacy efforts are targeting the welfare and rights of older adults. In Venezuela, the Committee for the Defense of Pensioners, Retirees, and Older Adults has formally requested Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015 National Assembly, to include the critical situation of seniors in the national dialogue for democratic transition. The group submitted a report detailing systematic human rights violations, noting that monthly pensions have plummeted to approximately 0.17 USD, leading to malnutrition and lack of medical access. They also seek the reinstatement of payments for pensioners living abroad.

In Mexico, the Commission for Attention to Vulnerable Groups held a Parliament for Older Persons to address discrimination, known as ‘viejismo’, and to strengthen legislative actions for dignity and autonomy. Similarly, in Colombia, the municipality of Los Andes-Sotomayor held awareness sessions to promote the protection of elderly rights and prevent abuse.

Other regional developments include the government of Peru announcing a progressive increase in the Pensión 65 program to support those in extreme poverty. In the Canary Islands, authorities reported a significant reduction in the processing time for dependency benefits, bringing the average below 300 days for the first time since 2006.