Ministry of Equality Marks the International Day of Older Persons - 624/2024

Today, 1^st October is the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. The Ministry of Equality is marking this day with its "End the Stereotypes" campaign. The campaign, which began in July, now focuses on challenging ageism and the limiting stereotypes that are frequently used to describe older people.

Older people play a vital and integral role in society in many different ways but, very often, their contributions are not recognized or valued. The "End the Stereotypes" campaign seeks to redress this lack of visibility and serves as a powerful reminder that age does not limit a person's value or worth.

As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Equality has met with a number of associations and groups which work with older people. The Ministry of Equality would like to thank the Gibraltar Football Association's Walking Football, the Care Agency's Waterport Terraces Day Centre, the GSLA and the Physical Activities Association for Mature Older Adults (PAAMOA) for their support of this campaign. The Ministry of Equality would also like to thank photographer Stephen Hermida for collaborating on this project with great enthusiasm and sensitivity and for his wonderful photographs.

The Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Christian Santos GMD MP said: "I am happy that we are marking the International Day of Older Persons. I hope that the "End the Stereotypes" campaign will initiate a conversation about ageism and the, at times, very negative language and stereotypes that are used to refer to older people. The 1^st October is also a prime occasion to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges they face. There is no doubt, for example, that improving older people's social connections enhances their sense of purpose and self-esteem and this is crucial to their physical and mental well-being".