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III) Equality and Non-Discrimination for the Elderly
No. Action Competent Authority Timetable Key Performance Indicator
discuss steps for improvement, which are used in teaching materials for subsequent education, training, and promotional materials.
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56 Provide CRC education and training for professionals whose work involve children and adolescents (including education, social services, judicial and police personnel) to raise awareness of equality and discrimination. Ministry of Health and Welfare 2022-2024 Organize CRC education and training with content that includes the anti-discrimination principles of CRC. 12 courses are planned for different regions and up to 600 people are expected to participate.
(III) Equality and Non-Discrimination for the Elderly
To draw up a new blueprint for social policies for the elderly in response to the continuous rise of the elderly population in Taiwan, the Executive Yuan approved a revision of the White Paper on Aging Society on September 27, 2021 which features four main visions: autonomy, self-reliance, inclusion, and sustainability. The White Paper also includes five policies goals: improving the health and autonomy of the elderly, enhancing social connections of the elderly, promoting harmony and integration between generations, constructing a safe and senior-friendly environment, and strengthening the sustainability of society, covering aspects like health, medicine, long-term care, learning, employment, leisure, housing, economics, social participation, protection, and disaster prevention and rescue, with relevant ministries and departments actively making annual plans to reach these goals. Also, the working group for the White Paper on Aging Society has been established under the Social
Welfare Committee of the Executive Yuan to conduct follow-up reviews every six months and report regularly to the Social Welfare Committee in order to respond to the diverse needs of the elderly and actively protect their rights and interests.
With social changes come more diversified ways for the elderly to participate in society. In response to the social participation needs of the elderly across different generations, genders, socioeconomic statuses, and urban or rural areas, the government has actively subsidized NGOs and village offices to set up community care stations across the country, encouraging communities to provide home visits, phone calls, meal services and health improvement activities, and other services based on local characteristics to enhance social connections and support for the elderly since 2005. As of the end of December 2021, 4,610 of such stations have been set up across the country. More centers will continue to be set up in the future to strengthen elderly community participation and reduce social exclusion of the elderly.
In addition, according to a 2017 survey on the status of the elderly, among the population over 65 years old, 60.13% believed that the public’s attitude towards the elderly was fairly respectful, while 15.8% felt that the public did not respect the elderly. Since 2019, to encourage intergenerational integration, the government has actively encouraged the development of various service programs to promote intergenerational interaction and integration.
To protect the rights and interests of residents of elderly welfare institutions and improve their autonomy, the Senior Citizens Welfare Act was revised and promulgated on May 27, 2020 to authorize local competent authorities to work with NGOs to supervise the service quality of elderly welfare institutions for residents with no legal supporters or legal representatives. Going forward, the government will continue to promote advocacy services, pay attention to the basic human rights of the elderly, and allow them to participate in decision-making related to their own rights and interests.
To prevent employers from restricting employment opportunities of the elderly due to age stereotypes, the Employment Service Act and Middle-aged and Elderly Employment Promotion Act include clear provisions against age discrimination to create a senior-friendly employment environment that protects the rights and interests of the elderly.
No. Action Competent Authority Timetable Key Performance Indicator
57 Construct a diverse and continuous community care network, respond to the diversity of community participation of the elderly, and reduce the social exclusion of the elderly. Ministry of Health and Welfare 2022-2024 Facilitate the establishment of 100 new community care stations each year to reach a total of 4,800 stations by 2024.
58 Organize activities to promote intergenerational interaction and integration every year to create a friendly aging environment. Ministry of Health and Welfare 2022-2024 Through outreach centers as a platform, organize at least 5,000 activities that encourage intergenerational interaction and integration each year.
59 Conduct workplace equality and sexual harassment prevention seminars every year to prevent employers from discriminating against employees or job applicants on the basis of age. Ministry of Labor 2020-2024 Organize 25 sessions every year to remind employers to abide by the prohibition of age discrimination, eliminate social stereotypes, and promote workplace equality through channels like websites, Facebook and pamphlets to foster friendly workplace environments.
60 Strengthen protection of the rights and interests of elderly people under care, assist the elderly in institutions to Ministry of Health and Welfare 2022-2024 Assist local governments to promote advocacy services on their own or with NGOs in 22 cities and counties.
