Shinyanga Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha has urged communities, particularly the youth, to take greater responsibility in protecting, caring for, and respecting the elderly rather than leaving them with the burden of raising grandchildren or subjecting them to abuse.
Speaking on June 14, 2025, in Shinyanga during the opening of a public forum on educating and addressing abuse against the elderly, Mr Macha emphasized the need for shared responsibility in safeguarding senior citizens.
The forum forms part of the build-up to the International Day of Awareness and Prevention of Elder Abuse, which will be marked on June 15.
“The wellbeing of older persons is not the sole responsibility of the government. It requires the active involvement of institutions and various stakeholders to ensure the elderly access essential services, including healthcare, so they can live with dignity,” said Mr Macha.
He cautioned against shifting parental responsibilities onto the elderly, stressing that it is the duty of adult children to care for their aging parents.
“Do not leave grandchildren under the care of their grandparents. Due to their age, they are not physically able to handle the demands of raising children. You raised your children — now they should take care of you,” he said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, the ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms Felister Mdemu, described the elderly as custodians of cultural heritage and wisdom, whose guidance remains crucial to the nation’s future.
“We must continue to prioritize respect for the elderly, involve them in matters that affect their wellbeing, and ensure they are seen as blessings to society rather than burdens,” she noted.
The Chairman of the National Council for the Elderly, Mr Lameck Sendo, called for stronger legal protections to shield the elderly from exploitation and violence.
“We need legal frameworks that specifically address the protection of elderly persons from property grabbing, violent attacks, and other forms of abuse. The government must establish comprehensive laws that directly safeguard their rights and dignity,” he emphasized.
HelpAge International Project Manager Mr Joseph Mbasa also underscored the importance of raising public awareness, particularly among the youth, on the need to support the elderly and actively oppose any forms of abuse against them.