Mission: To realize the rights of older people through inclusive social protection systems, accountability, and resilience strengthening.
Vision: A society where every older person leads a dignified, healthy, and secure life.
Thematic Areas
- Income security: Ensuring financial stability for older people.
- Health and care: Promoting accessible health and care systems.
- Violence, abuse, and neglect: Preventing and addressing elder abuse and neglect.
- Movement for change: Empowering communities to advocate for older persons’ rights.
- Inclusive humanitarian action: Ensuring older persons are considered in humanitarian responses.
Understanding Ageing
- Biological Ageing: Ageing at the individual level, marked by reduced physical and mental capacities and a heightened risk of disease.
- Population Ageing: A societal trend characterized by a rising proportion of older people due to declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy.
Ageing Trends in Malawi
- The National Policy for Older Persons defines older persons as those aged 60 and above.
- In 2024, Malawi has 1,037,388 older persons (60+ years), expected to grow to 2,873,639 by 2050.
- The older population (60+) constitutes 5.12% of the total population, projected to rise to 9% by 2050.
- By 2050, 1 in every 11 Malawians will be aged 60 or older.
- In Balaka District, there are 29,029 older persons, with 13,300 aged 70+.
Key Challenges Faced by Older Persons
- Income Insecurity: Limited access to consistent and adequate income.
- Social Exclusion: Isolation from family and community life.
- Inadequate Social Protection Systems: Limited reach and inclusivity of existing programs.
- Lack of Representation: Insufficient advocacy and agency for older people in decision-making.
- Policy Gaps: Weak frameworks to address ageing issues comprehensively.
Previous Program: AFFORD (2017–2023): The Accountability for the Fulfilment of Older People to Raise their Dignity (AFFORD) program laid a strong foundation for improving older persons’ lives in Malawi.
Overall Impact of AFFORD
- A favorable policy environment was created with the implementation of an old-age grant and categorical targeting.
- Older persons’ issues were integrated into local council development plans.
- Older Persons Associations (OPAs) and Older Citizens Monitoring Groups (OCMGs) were empowered with advocacy and accountability skills.
- Community awareness and media advocacy improved public understanding of older persons’ rights.
Lessons Learned from AFFORD
- Political will is essential for transformative, age-inclusive policies.
- Legislative advocacy requires a multi-faceted approach.
- OPAs effectively hold societies accountable for older persons’ rights.
- Categorical targeting ensures better inclusion of older persons in social protection systems.
- Linking OPAs to local governance systems enhances their advocacy impact.
- Media is a powerful tool for raising awareness about older persons’ challenges.
Recommendations
- Monitor the implementation of the Older Persons Act.
- Expand categorical targeting in social protection programs.
- Integrate livelihood components into social protection systems.
- Strengthen connections between OPAs and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
- Continue engaging media and stakeholders in advocacy efforts.
ROAR Project Overview: The ROAR Project builds upon AFFORD’s success, focusing on Thyolo and Balaka districts.
Key Details
- Duration: July 2024 – June 2027 (36 months).
- Location: TA Nsamala and STA Mpilisi in Thyolo and Balaka.
- Budget: €95,000.
- Donor: Irish Aid through HelpAge International.
- Target Group: 1,500 older persons (600 male, 900 female, both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of social protection programs).
- Operational Base: MANEPO Head Office, Blantyre.
Program Goal
To enable older persons to lead dignified, secure, and resilient lives.
Key Outcome Areas and Activities
Outcome 1: Inclusive Social Protection Mechanisms
- Conduct digital literacy training for older persons, especially women.
- Create and support Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance older persons’ livelihoods.
Outcome 2: Community Advocacy Movement
- Strengthen existing and establish new OPAs and OCMGs.
- Empower older women through leadership and advocacy training.
- Organize Age Demands Action (ADA) campaigns to amplify older persons’ voices.
- Engage stakeholders, including youth groups and media, to promote awareness and advocacy.
Outcome 3: Protective and Inclusive Environments
- Raise awareness about older persons’ rights through training and materials.
- Establish platforms for older persons to interact with policymakers and service providers.
- Promote intergenerational collaboration for peaceful and inclusive communities.
National-Level Activities
- Advocate for the ratification of the African Union Protocol on the rights of older persons.
- Influence the design and implementation of age- and gender-inclusive policies.
- Amplify older persons’ voices through national advocacy campaigns.
Sustainability Plan
The ROAR Project emphasizes long-term impact through:
- Livelihood Initiatives: Integrating income-generating activities to build resilience.
- Community Movements: Using OPAs to combat age discrimination and promote social inclusion.
- Policy Implementation: Strengthening the enforcement of frameworks that protect older persons.
- Local Governance Integration: Aligning OPAs with local governance systems for effective advocacy.
- Capacity Building: Empowering local councils to deliver age-inclusive services.
In conclusion, the ROAR Project is a transformative initiative aimed at realizing the rights of older people in Malawi. Through inclusive social protection systems, building resilient communities, and advocating for protective environments, the project seeks to ensure that every older person lives with dignity, security, and health. Through collaboration with stakeholders, leveraging local structures like OPAs, and sustained advocacy, the project is a critical step toward achieving an age-inclusive society.