Kavala, appointed as an Expert Member of the Technical Working group on Older Persons and People with Disabilities
Andrew Kavala, executive director of Malawi Network of Older Persons’ Organisations (MANEPO), a member of the HelpAge global network, has been appointed to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. Andrew will serve a two-year term as an Expert Member of the Technical Working group on Older Persons and People with Disabilities of the Commission and will be representing the southern Africa region. The Working Group plays a critical role in advancing the rights of older people and those with disabilities on the African continent.
“It is a huge honor and opportunity not only for me but for the country and the region as a whole. I will make sure to build strategic synergies across the region towards the creation of an enabling environment for older people and people with disabilities.” Said Kavala
MANEPO was established in 2013 and is a consortium of more than 60 civil society organizations working on ageing issues in Malawi. Our work is primarily focused on income security, health and care, abuse and discrimination, and advocacy, but also works on gender, disability and disaster risk reduction. In our advocacy work, MANEPO has been campaigning for age-friendly health services and for the introduction of a universal pension for all older people in Malawi. Manepo has recently been instrumental in passing the Older Persons’ Bill in Malawi.
Established in 2013, MANEPO is a consortium of over 60 civil society organizations (CSOs) dedicated to addressing issues related to aging in Malawi. Our primary focus areas include income security, health and care, abuse and discrimination, as well as advocacy. Additionally, we address gender, disability, and disaster risk reduction concerns. Through our advocacy efforts, MANEPO has championed the cause of age-friendly health services and the introduction of a universal pension for all older persons in Malawi. Recently, our efforts were pivotal in the passage of the Older Person’s Bill in Malawi.
Andrew also serves as the Commissioner of the Malawi Human Rights Commission. He is currently studying for a PhD in Social Science with Ageing and Development at Northwest University in South Africa.
