On World Population Day, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova launched the National Program on active and healthy aging for the years 2023-2027. The document contains 4 national objectives and provides a multisectoral approach to the aging phenomenon, which implies the involvement of all state institutions in creating a favorable environment for the active and healthy aging of people.
According to national statistics, in the last 6 years, the number of the population aged 60+ increased by more than 4%, and the share of older persons currently constitutes almost 24% of the country's population. According to population forecasts, in 2040, every second person in our country will be over 50 years old. In this context, the first objective of the program refers to expanding the access of older people to basic social services. 3,000 older people are to be provided with assistive devices/technical aids, basic social services for older will be created and expanded in 50 localities, etc.
"For us, it is very important to ensure a decent living for all the people in the Republic of Moldova, to support older persons in a difficult situation and, last but not least, to provide them with opportunities to get involved in community life and to fully capitalize on their lifetime experience. Through the Program, we also aim to digitally enable as many older people as possible, including the lonely ones, from rural areas, to offer them equipment and the opportunity to access the Internet, social services, communicate with their loved ones, etc.", stated ALEXEI BUZU, Minister of Labor and Social Protection.
Data from the "Generations and Gender" study, conducted by UNFPA in 2020, shows that currently only around 2% of 55-74 year olds are engaged in lifelong learning. In this sense, the second objective of the Program refers to lifelong learning and foresees the realization of the concept of "University for the 3rd age". Also, aging aspects will be integrated in regional and local development projects, and local authorities will have capacity in the field of integrating the principle of active aging into sectoral policies.
"On behalf of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, I reiterate my full support for the initiatives that offer opportunities for active and healthy aging and we hope that this concept of the University of the 3rd age, which is to be piloted already this fall, will resonate with older persons in Moldova. This is a widespread concept in the countries of the European Union and it deserves to be developed in our country as well", said MARIA PANCU, member of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
Data from the GGS study also shows that only 1 in 3 people aged 60+ have accessed the internet. The third objective of the program refers to increasing the number of older people who use information technologies to access public services, communication and information: developing and ensuring the functionality of the National ICT Equipment Platform for the older, creating the portfolio of accessible packages and connection services for 25,000 older people with low incomes, digital empowerment of 5,000 older people, etc. UNFPA Moldova is the leading partner of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Government of the Republic of Moldova and all national actors, in order to achieve the provisions of the Program on active and healthy aging, expanding opportunities for older persons, and strengthening the demographic resilience of the country.
In the context of the 2023 World Population Day theme - Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world's infinite possibilities - the Resident Representative of UNFPA in the Republic of Moldova, Nigina Abaszada, mentioned the importance of gender equality for a healthy and active aging and a sustainable future.
"In the Republic of Moldova, women's life expectancy is higher than men's, but their quality of life suffers. Over the course of their lives, women are the ones who most often give up their careers and professional opportunities, so their incomes are lower , and at retirement age they have lower pensions and a lower standard of living. On World Population Day, UNFPA is calling for expanding choices and opportunities for women and men throughout life, including through family-friendly policies in the workplace, to ensure a dignified life and aging for all, regardless of gender or age, to lesave no one behind", said NIGINA ABASZADA, UNFPA Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
Statistics also show that only 3% of the 55+ population participate in community-based activities at least once a month, and only 24% of the 55+ population exercise daily or at least weekly. In this sense, within the framework of the 4th objective, the national "Cultural Voucher" Program for older people with low incomes will be developed, the sports and culture programs will be adjusted to older persons, and the community mobilization activities for older persons will be implemented.
The National Program on active and healthy aging will be carried out by central and local public authorities, public institutions, in partnership with civil society and development partners, one of the key partners being the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
