The Malawi government needs K10 billion to implement a social protection program aimed at providing monthly cash assistance to elderly citizens. Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, revealed this in Parliament on Thursday, stating that the ministry is awaiting the necessary funds to roll out the initiative, which will see 165,000 elderly people receiving K18,000 per month.
Sendeza expressed concern over the mistreatment of elderly citizens in Malawi, highlighting the need for enhanced monetary support and protection. “My ministry is very disheartened with the way elderly people are treated in the country, which needs special protection in terms of monetary support,” she said.
The minister also called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to raise awareness and protect elderly people, particularly in light of the passing and ascension of the Older Persons Bill by Parliament and the President.
Her remarks followed a question from Zomba Lisanjala MP, Dr. William Susuwele Banda, who raised concerns about the rising violence against elderly citizens. Banda cited the deaths of 18 elderly individuals since January, underscoring the dangerous environment many elderly Malawians face due to witchcraft accusations.
“We are supposed to live in harmony, but what is happening is that elderly people are being targeted, tortured, and killed on witchcraft allegations,” Banda lamented. He also condemned political parties that marginalize the elderly by discouraging their participation in politics.
Mulanje Bale MP, Victor Musowa, added to the discussion, urging Parliamentary committees such as the Women Caucus, Social Protection, and Legal Affairs to investigate a disturbing incident in Mzimba where two women were thrown into a graveyard but the perpetrators were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
Neno South MP, Mark Katsonga, attributed the rise in violence against elderly citizens to weak laws, calling for stricter penalties for offenders. However, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo disagreed, stating that Malawi’s legal framework is adequate but suffers from poor enforcement.
The government plans to begin the cash transfer program for the elderly early next year, with the aim of addressing both the financial hardships and protection needs of Malawi’s aging population.
