Tanzania joins other countries tomorrow to celebrate the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) despite witnessing witchcraft abuse to such aged groups especially in the Lake Zone Regions.
A statement from HelpAge International Tanzania in Dar es Salaam yesterday said WEAAD, was designated by the UN to bring together senior citizens, their caregivers, human rights organisations, governments and the wider society to combat the problem of elders abuse.
The day enables the society to voice its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to the societies older generations with consequences to their health and human rights, the statement said.
Organised by HelpAge International Tanzania with a theme, “Ending elder abuse is a collective responsibility,” the organisation says the research conducted shows older people experience various types of violence and abuse across different regions.
The UN Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014, states that one in 17 older people reported abuse in the past month whereas people in every region of the world are subjected to violence and abuse in their older age.
Tanzania Human Rights Report of 2014 says dehumanization and brutal killings are among the challenges experienced by older people in the country where a number of elders have been abused due to witchcraft allegations especially in Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Geita.
The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) says 320 people were reported to have been killed as a result of witchcraft allegations for the period of six months from January to June 2014 with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting that 4-6 percent of older people are subjected to elder abuse.
“Due to the culture of denial and lack of data, violence and abuse in older age is not considered a serious concern,” says part of the WHO report.
A statement from HelpAge International Tanzania in Dar es Salaam yesterday said WEAAD, was designated by the UN to bring together senior citizens, their caregivers, human rights organisations, governments and the wider society to combat the problem of elders abuse.
The day enables the society to voice its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to the societies older generations with consequences to their health and human rights, the statement said.
Organised by HelpAge International Tanzania with a theme, “Ending elder abuse is a collective responsibility,” the organisation says the research conducted shows older people experience various types of violence and abuse across different regions.
The UN Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014, states that one in 17 older people reported abuse in the past month whereas people in every region of the world are subjected to violence and abuse in their older age.
Tanzania Human Rights Report of 2014 says dehumanization and brutal killings are among the challenges experienced by older people in the country where a number of elders have been abused due to witchcraft allegations especially in Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Geita.
The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) says 320 people were reported to have been killed as a result of witchcraft allegations for the period of six months from January to June 2014 with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting that 4-6 percent of older people are subjected to elder abuse.
“Due to the culture of denial and lack of data, violence and abuse in older age is not considered a serious concern,” says part of the WHO report.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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