Report from The Association for the prevention of Elder Abuse on their visit to the office of the vice president of the Republic of The Gambia, on the 12^th April, 2006.

The Association for the prevention of Elder Abuse (TAPEA) paid a courtesy call to the office of the vice president and secretary of state for women affairs Dr. Isatou Njie –Saidy.

Among the delegates from (TAPEA) that visited her Excellency includes Priscilla Jones (President TAPEA), Mr. Gilbert Cole (vice president TAPEA) Mr. James .C. Nwodo (secretary –General) Mrs. Ayo –Reley (Matron) Rev. Charles F.Mendi (Patron) and madam Fatou.  (In the photograph, Priscilla Jones is meeting the vice president of The Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy.)

Our purpose of the visit was to have audience with her Excellency to formerly introduced to her the aims and objectives of our association and also to discuss our programme of activities for the year 2006/07 these activities includes public awareness campaign on elder abuse, to encourage moral teaching in schools through-out the 6 regions of the country and to establish a club called ( Youths for Elders) as youths are the future leaders, they need to be fully involved in combating  and  preventing elder abuse in The Gambia society so the  later years of life will be free from abuse, exploitation and neglect of elders.

Present with the vice-president in her office was Secretary of state for health and social welfare, Director of social welfare and the Director of elderly home. Speaking on behalf of  government the vice- president expressed her appreciation for TAPEA’s concern and initiatives shown to eliminate all forms of abuse and neglect of elders in The Gambia, she further thanked TAPEA for their bold step and contribution towards complimenting Governments effects in combating elder abuse, as this is a collective responsibility of all Gambians as well as non Gambians to play their roles in the society in achieving this noble initiatives.

On vote of thanks, the Secretary -General Mr.James C. Nwodo thanked Her Excellency for her audience and words of encouragement which will motivate the association in carrying out its objective successfully.

In the above picture, Vice President of Gambia Her Excellency Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, in white dress share our proposal with Dr Tamirs Mbowe(Secretary Of State For Health and Social Welfare), beside's him is Mrs Fanta Ceesay(Director Of Social Welfare).

This picture has Priscilla Jones presenting to the Vice President Her Excellency Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy our proposal for 2006/07. Beside Priscilla Jones is Mr Gilbert Cole the vice president of (TAPEA).

May 2006 report

Congratulations from APOAN to TAPEA in The Gambia

An article from The Association for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, The Gambia, West Africa - Our new partners in a vital World Community Work - launched in December 20, 2005

THE PROTECTION OF ELDER

Elders have the right to be protected from all forms of- abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. Societies must eliminate all forms of violence against elders. The protection of elders is a paramount concern of Christian, Muslims, individuals as well as international human rights organizations, yet with the abuse and exploitation of elders, together with all forms of violence, hundreds of millions of older people world-wide are victimized by wars, violence, exploitation, neglect and other forms of abuse and discrimination. There are older people who are disabled or seriously injured by armed conflict, internationally displaced or driven from their countries as refugees exposed to all forms of danger and abuses. Elders of immigrant families, Indigenous elders and minority elders may be additionally vulnerable. The magnitude of elder abuse, exploitation and violence are often cancelled, because of the lack of empirical data or clear evidence of national or regional trends and because of the silence and stigma surrounding the issue. We have to do our best to stop elder abuse and break the culture of silence. The first important step in combating elder abuse and exploitation of elders in any country is to acknowledge the existing problem, shun cultural silence and make preliminary assessment of its magnitude. On our part, we are encouraging The Gambia government to also develop a response programme aimed to combating the prevention of elder abuse, also to strengthen the legal framework governing elders from abuse and exploitation. In the case of exploitation and violence, the disabled elders especially women are the prime victims.

Through our observation as an Association, we urge all governments functionaries, and NGO's to struggle a lot to secure a better world for older people, because elder protection should be everyone's responsibility, as ageing is everyone's future. This article was reported by the president of the association (Priscilla Jones) and Secretary-General Mr James C. Nwodo.

P.O. BOX 132,BANJUL.THE GAMBIA. WEST AFRICA.Elder-Abuse Elder Abuse thegambiaapea@yahoo.com