11 older persons killed in Malawi

At least 11 older persons were killed in Malawi during the first quarter of this year, with the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) warning that the figure could surpass last year’s total of 22 deaths.

The Commission says the deaths were linked to accusations of witchcraft, raising fresh concerns over the safety and protection of older people in the country.

The MHRC has raised the concern as Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Older Persons today under the theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.”

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary Habiba Osman, the Commission said the continued killings show that older persons remain exposed to violence and discrimination despite measures put in place to protect their rights.

The Commission noted that Malawi has made progress through the Older Persons Act of 2024 and the National Action Plan on Inclusion and Protection of Older Persons.

However, it said older people continue to face violence, poverty, exclusion and weak social protection.

Cultural expert Anthony Mtuta has attributed the continued victimisation of older persons partly to limited knowledge of laws protecting their rights.

Mtuta said inadequate sensitisation has left communities without sufficient understanding of the legal protections available to older people.

He called for policymakers to take awareness campaigns to communities where older persons live and ensure that the elderly are involved in reviewing and amending laws affecting their rights and welfare.

The MHRC has meanwhile called on government to fully operationalise the Older Persons Act, increase funding for the protection of older people and strengthen police and court action against perpetrators.

The Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of more than 1.2 million older persons in Malawi.