Amman – On the occasion of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Solidarity Is Global Institute-JO “SIGI” held a dialogue session titled "Protecting the Elderly: A Social and Legal Responsibility" at the Um Wasfi Center (located in Al-Ashrafieh), as part of its Wednesday Cultural Evening Program. The session addressed elderly-related issues from both social and legal perspectives, with the attendance of a number of interested individuals and representatives of the local community from various age groups.

Dr. Taghreed Al-Abbadi spoke on the social aspect, emphasizing the importance of caring for the elderly and providing social services that consider their specific needs and circumstances. She stressed the need for continuous communication with them and valuing their experiences. Dr. Al-Abbadi highlighted the importance of psychological support, listening to their physical and emotional suffering, and never neglecting them under any circumstances.

On the legal side, Mrs. Samar Al-Jabrah reviewed the legislative framework governing the rights of older persons in Jordan. She noted that the Jordanian Constitution guarantees equality, dignity, and justice for all citizens. She also addressed relevant legislation such as the Domestic Violence Protection Law, the Penal Code, the Civil Law, in addition to international agreements like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. Al-Jabrah emphasized that while Jordan has made progress in this field, there remains an urgent need for dedicated legislation on the rights of the elderly, as the current legal framework relies on scattered provisions applied on a case-by-case basis.

Radio presenter Mrs. Haifa Al-Abdullah, who moderated the session, underlined the significant role of media in raising public awareness of elderly rights and promoting a positive image of older persons as a rich source of knowledge and experience.

The session included contributions from attendees that enriched the discussion and led to a number of key recommendations, including:

• Introducing a specialized medical field focused on geriatrics to monitor the health conditions of older persons.

• Enacting a comprehensive law that guarantees and protects the rights of the elderly.

• Training service providers on how to interact appropriately with elderly individuals, given their specific circumstances.

• Activating a dedicated hotline to report cases of elder abuse.

At the conclusion of the session, participants emphasized that older men and women deserve to enjoy a safe and stable old age, through access to integrated health, retirement, and housing services. They stressed the need to confront all forms of violence and neglect, and to treat the elderly as a fundamental pillar of society and an invaluable source of knowledge and wisdom.