Digital illiteracy remains a challenge among the elderly persons-NSINDAGIZA

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

As the world celebrates the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2021, countries have made tremendous achievements to cater for this vulnerable category.

The good news is that some policies that give them rights to be taken care of have been established in many countries including Rwanda. But, according to NSINDAGIZA, a local organization that advocates for the rigjts of the older persons in Rwanda, a gap is on the use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) where elderly persons constitute a big number of ICT illiterate population.

Currently, The International Day of Older Persons is globally celebrated on October 1, every year but, it will celebrated in Rwanda on October 8, 2021 due to other activities that are taking place.

While this year’s International day of elderly persons will be celebrated at family level (home) with the theme: “The role of young generation in teaching ICT and its importance to the older persons”, there is a problem that some among them who do not have access to internet and digital tools will feel alone and depressed while others will be enjoying the day with smiles because they can use smart phones and internet to see what is around the world.

Older persons from Musanze District in the Northern Province advise youth to keep a hope of their future with many years of existence./ Photos by Kigali Today.

At the global level, the theme of this day is ‘Digital equity for all ages?’

According to Elie Mugabowishema, the president of Nsindagiza Organization, the celebration of the International Day of the Older Persons is a significant sign of political will that gives a hope of the brighter future of these persons.

“This organization was established in 2014. We are happy that Rwanda has already ratified additional agreements on the rights of elderly persons and has established the national policy of the elderly persons as well as the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons. Regarding the theme and the way the day will be celebrated at home, it is very difficult but it is the only possible way due to COVID-19 pandemic,” Mugabowishema told The Inspirer.

He added that this scenario gives responsibilities to the Ministry of Local Governance (MINALOC), the Ministry of Youth and Culture, the Ministry of ICT and Innovation to establish effective measures and good plans to teach the elderly persons from both rural and urban areas all about ICT use and usefulness.

“It is very difficult and quite impossible to celebrate this day at home with loneliness without any digital skills, they will take time to think on the role of ICT without getting a solution from themselves, it requires local authority leaders to use all possible ways to make this initiative fruitful, it also tasks MINALOC to establish measures to monitor the implementation of this activity.” Mugabowishema noted.

About NSINDAGIZA

Nsindagiza Organization is a Rwandan NGO promoting the rights and welfare of older people in Rwanda and an effective member of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, a coalition of 300 civil society organisations worldwide working together to strengthen older people’s rights globally.

So far, the organization has advocated for policy change to ensure the rights of older persons and has created various associations gathering older persons together. Some among them were given small livestock, and during COVID-19, they were given food and hygiene commodities plus adequate information on the prevention against the pandemic.

“During Covid-19, we supported 125 older persons, we also gave small live stocks to 129 older persons. We mobilized and helped them to change mindset and seek ways of helping each other.” He said.

Embarking on the theme of this year’s International Day of Older persons, Mugabowishema said that lack of Digital skills is a critical issue among this age category where it remains a challenge for them, facing legal issues when they are drawn into disputes and seek justice; while others are deprived of their properties by their descendants.