MaltaMedia.com

In the framework of the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the National Implementing Body as the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, held the third Press Breakfast at the EC Representation Office in Valletta. The press briefing called for awareness and respect for the elderly and awareness on the rights of persons experiencing domestic violence.

Introduced and chaired by Jesmond Schembri, Operations Director at Agenzija Appogg, the key speakers included Rose Sammut EY Ambassador and Secretary at the National Council for Older Persons, Dr Marceline Naudi, EY Ambassador and Chairperson, Commission on Domestic Violence, Dr Stephanie Xuereb, Director for the Elderly and Community Services at the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and Community Care, and Maryanne Gauci, Service Manager, Adult and Family Services at Agenzija Appogg.

In her presentation entitled “The Elderly in Malta: Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion”, Rose Sammut explained the objectives of The National Council for Older Persons and how the Council strives in promoting active participation of older persons in society and in the community. She said: “Every Maltese person should respect the elderly persons and help to keep the ageing community at the centre of society.”

Underlining the objectives and community care services by the Department of the Elderly and Community Care, Dr Stephanie Xuereb added that elderly persons are an asset and of intrinsic value to our society. “Ageing is not a disease but a positive experience where through active and healthy ageing policies, elderly persons are encouraged to take control over their physical and mental health and social well being.”

Malta has an ageing population mainly due to an improvement in longevity. According to the 2005 National Census, there were 77,434 aged 60 years and older in Malta, which represent 19.9% of the country’s working age population at the time. The 65+ age group now represents 13.7 per cent of the population, up from 11.4 per cent in 1995.

Dr Marceline Naudi in her bid to continue to raise awareness on the issues of domestic violence feels that not enough is being done to reach out to all those who live with abuse as an everyday reality. She said: “This is a fight we all have to take up. A society that does not openly and clearly condemn all forms of domestic violence is a poor society. Women who are abused by the persons they love, threatened, filled with fear so strong one can reach out and touch it, and this in their own homes where they are supposed to find refuge and support, this is indeed one of the worst types of poverty!”

“Victims of domestic violence are amongst the most vulnerable groups at risk of poverty and social exclusion,” stressed Maryanne Gauci during her presentation called ‘Appogg: Domestic Violence Services in the context of combating poverty and social exclusion’. “The protection of the economic, social and legal rights of victims of violence is paramount in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.”

The European Year 2010 press breakfast was also attended by The Hon Mario Galea, Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and the Community Care. Mr Galea rounded off the press briefing and addressed the participants about the elderly situation in Malta.

The press breakfasts for the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion also give a chance to those persons who daily experience these issues to voice their concerns and aspirations.

The 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion aims to raise awareness about poverty and social exclusion and the consequences. Within the EU, 84 million people, approximately 16% of the European population, live in or are at risk of poverty. The EU and its partners are working hard to decrease poverty and social exclusion; in fact the issue is now at the very top of the political agenda.

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