The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Housing Code, social protection legislation, and state social services constitute the main legal framework for the protection of the rights of older persons, Nigar Mammadova, member of the Milli Majlis, said during a roundtable on the rights of older persons titled “Housing Across the Lifespan – Adequate Housing for All Older Persons,” organized within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, APA reports.
The MP noted that support is provided to older persons in the country through the pension system, social service mechanisms, and home-based social services, while adapted living environments are created especially for elderly people with disabilities.
She added that social service institutions for older persons operate in Azerbaijan, and that councils of elders functioning in every district play an important role in involving them in public life and local decision-making processes.
The MP also stated that the rights of older persons are not only a matter of social protection, but also a human rights issue:
“Adequate housing and the rights of older persons are an inseparable part of social justice and human rights.”
She emphasized that against the backdrop of existing challenges, the broader application of urban planning principles, adaptation of the housing stock, promotion of active aging, and improvement of the digital skills of older persons are of particular importance.
At the end of her speech, the MP noted that older persons are not only beneficiaries of policies, but also an inseparable part of social justice and human rights, and that ensuring adequate housing for them is a shared responsibility of the entire society.
