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Opportunities and ways to protect and to promote the rights of the elderly

Najat El Mekkaoui National Council of Human Rights - Morocco

University Paris Dauphine

Marrakech, 29th, November 2014

Ageing: one of the biggest challenge all

over the world The elderly are a growing social group in

all countries. The number of people aged 60 years and

over will increase from 600 million to 1.2 billion by 2025.

In 2050, they will represent 2 billion people, equivalent to 20 % of the world population.

The majority of older people will live in developing countries.

•The elderly support a higher risk of poverty than other citizens.

•There are a vulnerable group whose human rights are not always respected.

•Access to basic pension, decent houses, health care services are essential to the well being, and the lack of these services contributes to the persistence of poverty.

•Morocco: 60+ years old people will represent 17% in 2030 and 24,5% in 2050 (8% in 2004).

•Life expectancy for women is higher than for men; therefore women may be in poverty for a longer period.

•Large groups of the population remain out of the social security system.

•There is currently no comprehensive international instrument on the rights of older people.

•Ways to promote and protect the elderly human rights: The development of an international legal instrument to protect older persons.

•Social policies and initiatives for the elderly

•Human rights mechanisms regarding the elderly