ILO and Irish-Aid hold sensitization workshop on Older Persons’ Act

Over the years there has been advocacy for improved welfare of the senior citizens. The International Labour Organization (ILO) through the Irish-Aid funded Regional Social Protection project has been working with its implementing partners- Malawi Network of Older Persons Organization (MANEPO) and HelpAge International- and Malawi Government agencies to advocate for the rights and welfare of the senior citizens.

The advocacy has led to the enactment of the Older Persons’ law, which has established a comprehensive framework for community-based and home-based care, ensuring professional assistance and secure living conditions, as well as includes provisions for financial aid, granting monthly stipends to older people nationwide.

The ILO in Malawi through its ILO/Irish-Aid Regional Social Protection project has been providing technical and financial support to the Department of Elderly and Disability Affairs to raise awareness among the public on the implementation of the Older Persons’ Act of 2024.

The ILO supported a sensitization workshop, which drew participation from the Department of Elderly and Disability Affairs, Department of Planning and Research and Division of Social Support in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, provided the roadmap for the implementation of the Act.

Facilitating at the workshop, ILO senior economist and actuarial expert based at the Regional Office for Africa in Cote d’Ivoire, Andrew Allieu said Malawi has made a huge stride towards attaining inclusive and comprehensive social protection system for enacting Old Persons’ Act, which among others provide for financial aid, and granting monthly stipends to older people across the country.

“It is important to start small and grow gradually. This is a common practice across the region and Malawi should take same route of increasing coverage when economic improves,” said Mr. Allieu.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Director for Elderly and Disability Affairs, Mrs. Loveness Silungwe the expressed gratitude to the ILO and the Government of Ireland for organizing the workshop, stating that there was need to uplift the living standards and well-being of senior citizens in the country.

“I would like to appeal to other stakeholders to emulate this good gesture of what partnership means. Let me emphasize that the full implementation of this Act will contribute to overall well-being of senior citizens, who are now caring for orphans in our communities. The grants will accord the senior citizens ability to afford decent meals, decent housing and food security while restoring their confidence once again,” said Mrs. Silungwe.