Malawi on Saturday, June 20 commemorated World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day with a call for urgent and collective action to end all forms of abuse against older persons. Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Honourable Jean Muonaouza Sendeza, MP, led the national observance which was held at Bindula Primary School in Lilongwe District.

 

She emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the dignity, rights, and well-being of elderly citizens. The Minister stressed that the global day, observed every 15th of June, is a reminder of society’s obligation to protect the elderly from violence, neglect, and exploitation.

 

This year's theme for the World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day is “From Silence to Action: Ending Abuse and Violence Against the Elderly Through Collective Community Action. Sendeza challenged Malawians to rise in defence of older persons and reject the silence that allows abuse to persist.

 

She described elderly persons as pillars of society, wisdom-bearers, and caregivers who deserve respect and care, not mistreatment. The Minister called for collaborative efforts from the youth, community members, and religious leaders to respect older persons, lead by example, and strengthen awareness and advocacy initiatives.

 

"Let World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day not be a moment, but a movement,” she said while urging Malawians to move from awareness to action in building a society where no elderly person suffers in silence. She described the elderly as pillars of society, wisdom bearers, and caregivers who deserve respect and care, not mistreatment.

 

According to the Minister, the government is committed to ensuring that the elderly are protected by strengthening legal and social protection systems. While acknowledging the presence of policies in place, she emphasized that laws alone are not enough without community vigilance and participation.

 

The Honorable Minister commended the Malawi Network of Older Persons (MANEPO) for prioritizing the welfare of the elderly. MANEPO Executive Director Andrew Kavala stated that it is deeply regrettable that certain members of society continue to associate the elderly with witchcraft.

 

He said it is sad that most people who abuse the elderly are their own family members and close relatives. During the function, MANEPO donated blankets to 100 elderly people from the area.