Govt to Safeguard Rights of the Elderly

In order to safeguard rights of the elderly, government is drafting laws that will ensure that the elderly persons are protected in the country.

The revelation came following the commemoration of the World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day which falls on June 15.

It is reported that Malawi has almost 600, 000 older people across the country of which 200 of them are taken care of at Neno shelter for elderly persons.

According to Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Principle Secretary (PS) Erica Maganga, cases of violence, abuse and exploitation of older persons are reported every day.

“The elderly are facing physical, emotional and economic abuses. As a ministry, we already have the Elderly Policy and now we are in the process of developing the laws that will be used to safeguard rights of the elderly persons.” Maganga said.

According to the PS, the law is currently being drafted.

“We hope to finalise the bills after consultations with various stakeholders and then we will take them to Parliament through the Ministry of Justice so that now they can be enacted into law,” said Maganga.

She further urged traditional leaders to formulate by-laws aimed at protecting the elderly in their respective communities.