Govt Expresses Dismay on Abuse Against Elderly

Gender Minister Jean Sendeza Gender Minister Jean Sendeza

Government has made fresh calls on the need to prosecute perpetrators of physical abuse and torture against elderly people in the country over accusations of witchcraft.

Gender Minister Jean Sendeza made the please on Thursday at a media briefing in Lilongwe where she observed that many elderly people are being victimized in various forms based on petty allegations.

She says 26 elderly men and women were killed in the last two years on different accusations bordering on witchcraft, describing the development as retrogressive to the country's development.

"We are so concerned that last week four elderly women were beaten up and injured in Nsanje district over witchcraft accusations, “Sendeza added.

Linda Matita, Head of Programmes for Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisation (Manepo) has implored law makers to enact the Older Persons Bill into law to safeguard rights of the elderly.

"We are operating without a proper law to fight for the rights of elderly people and this is leading to victimization of many elderly people in the country,” she observed. 

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Last modified on Friday, 17/02/2023

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