Amman, Sept. 30 (Petra) – The world will on Wednesday mark the International Day of Older Persons under the theme “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights,” underscoring the role of seniors in building societies as holders of knowledge and experience.
Jordan, like other Arab countries, has witnessed notable demographic shifts, with a rising proportion of older persons. While this change represents a demographic and developmental opportunity, it also poses challenges in meeting the needs of seniors, including the provision of safe legislative, social and economic environments that respond to their growing numbers.
Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs, Mohammad Miqdadi, said the council, in line with its role in shaping policies to support Jordanian families, has prepared national strategies that serve as a roadmap to this end. These include adopting key themes and defining the roles and responsibilities of institutions concerned according to their mandates.
He noted that the first national strategy dedicated to older persons’ issues was drafted in 2008 and has been updated regularly based on analytical reports, with new strategies and executive plans prepared accordingly.
Miqdadi said that in October last year, the National Strategy for Older Persons 2025–2030 was endorsed, representing a national achievement that placed seniors’ issues among the top priorities. The strategy’s objectives aim to improve quality of life, enable dignified living, and strengthen seniors’ self-confidence by fostering communication and dialogue with younger generations.
He added that the council, in cooperation with members of the National Committee for Older Persons and with support from ESCWA, completed the executive plan for the national strategy. The plan includes activities and measures to be implemented with member institutions of the committee, ensuring its objectives translate into improved services for seniors. The plan has been sent to the Prime Ministry to circulate to relevant institutions and begin implementation.
According to Miqdadi, the plan addressed eight entry points. The first is social protection and financial security, aimed at ensuring safe retirement income and better living conditions. The second focuses on healthcare, strengthening preventive and therapeutic services for seniors.
The third covers social care, through home-based and institutional services, while the fourth emphasizes social participation, underscoring greater community involvement for older persons.
The fifth highlights stronger legal protection and mechanisms to prevent violence and neglect, while the sixth focuses on providing supportive environments responsive to seniors’ needs.
The seventh and eighth stress the need to establish a comprehensive database to inform effective policymaking and to enhance coordination between government sectors and civil society under the theme of partnerships and cooperation.
The National Committee for Older Persons was formed in 2012 by a Cabinet decision to improve coordination among partner institutions concerned with seniors’ issues, implement and update the executive plan, and prepare achievement reports on progress made by ministries and institutions under the plan.
//Petra// AF
30/09/2025 21:07:31
