𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗜, 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗣𝗢 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦

Malawi: The Malawi Network of Older Persons Organization (MANEP) has expressed concern about the ongoing challenges faced by older people, citing, among other things, 15 deaths since January on suspicion of witchcraft.

Andrew Kavala, the Organization's Country Director, was speaking during a signing ceremony between the Media Institute of Southern Africa MISA Malawi chapter and MANEPO on Monday, October 10 2022 in Lilongwe, where he said they will fund the MISA Annual Media Awards with K4.5 million every year.

He expressed regret that older people are being ignored in many ways, citing the government's failure to present a bill to parliament that, if passed, would help protect the country's elderly citizens.

"The increase in mob justice cases and those being stoned to death in the country is clear evidence that Malawi is still not a welcoming environment for older people. We have documented a number of killings in which victims were accused of witchcraft simply because they were elderly, and the agreement with MISA Malawi will aid in promoting the rights of older people by focusing on their stories,” he stated.

Recognizing that the media could have done better in its reporting on issues concerning older people, MISA Malawi Chapter Chairperson Teresa Ndanga stated, among other things, that the agreement will help in improving the gaps that existed because journalists will now be working hand in hand with MANEPO to cover the gaps that have led to the infringement of older people's rights.

"We will now have a human rights category covering older persons looking at the originality of a story, impact, and consistency among other things," she explained.

"I admit that we may not have been doing well in reporting issues concerning older persons, but this will enable journalists to focus more knowing that at the end of the day their stories might win."

MANEPO will also provide resources to MISA Malawi to enable it to recognise and award individual journalists who have contributed to informing, educating, and raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly in Malawi through their news reporting and programming.