First Lady Monica Chakwera has made a passionate plea for the protection and respect of the country’s elderly population.
She made the remarks on Tuesday at Mwazisi Primary School ground in Rumphi where she cheered 300 elderly women as part of this year’s Mothers’ Day celebration.
Chakwera emphasized the need to safeguard the rights of the elderly, citing the alarming increase in abuse and witchcraft accusations.
Said the First Lady: “I want us to reflect on the elderly and the increasing violation of their rights as we celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day. All of us need to play a role in ensuring that the elderly are not abused.”
Chakwera urged the youth, who comprise 80 percent of the population under 32 years old, to take the lead in defending the elderly against such accusations.
Minister of Mining Monica Chang’anamuno, who accompanied the First Lady, advocated for the elderly to be cherished and respected for their selfless contributions to the nation.
“Let us love them and respect them so that they should feel appreciated for the sacrifices they made for all of us to be where we are,” she said.
A 62-year-old victim of witchcraft accusations, Lyness Mumba, thanked the First Lady for her gesture and appealed for greater love and protection for the elderly.
During the event, the First Lady presented each of the senior citizens with a special Mothers’ Day printed chitenje, a blanket and a bucket containing sugar, salt, rice, cooking oil, Sobo Orange Squash, maize flour, soya pieces and envelopes containing cash.
