Promoting the rights of older persons in Africa through cultural competence in social work practice

Abstract

Africa protocol on the rights of older persons requires that state parties protect them by preventing discrimination against them and guaranteeing their access to healthcare, social protection and support. Older persons are often discriminated against within families, during service delivery and by the legal system. Integrating culturally competent approaches in the provision of social work services is recognised as a promising strategy for protecting and promoting the rights of older persons. This article aims to present the current landscape in the promotion of the rights of older persons and research within Africa through cultural competence using a scoping review. The scoping literature review followed eight methodological steps to analyse the reviewed data. The findings of the review reveal three significant focus themes in the literature. Firstly, human rights challenges experienced by older persons. Secondly, the review outlines cultural competence strategies to promote the rights of older persons. Thirdly, barriers to cultural competence are revealed as significant setbacks in promoting older persons’ rights. The paper concludes that promoting the rights of older persons is a complex process that requires a radical and critical approach to deal with systemic and structural realities experienced by marginalised individuals.

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Zimba Z. F. (2024). Promoting the Rights of Older Persons in Africa through Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice. African Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 294-302. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i5.8