Introduction
In Mozambique, the elderly account for 4.8% of the population, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estatística – INE). With gradual improvements in healthcare and living conditions, this number is expected to increase over the coming years. However, the very people who once shaped their families and communities are now facing growing neglect, abandonment, and alarming levels of violence—physical, psychological, and patrimonial.
Isolation and Vulnerability
As the younger generation moves to urban centres in search of employment, many elderly citizens are left behind in rural areas, cut off from consistent care and support. Isolation quickly turns into vulnerability. In extreme cases, the elderly suffer physical abuse at the hands of family members or caretakers who view them as burdens. Accusations of witchcraft—particularly against elderly women—are still prevalent in some communities, leading to brutal attacks and lifelong social exclusion.
Patrimonial and Psychological Abuse
Beyond physical harm, many elderly Mozambicans are victims of patrimonial abuse. Land grabs, stolen pensions, and coerced transfers of property by relatives leave them destitute. With limited access to legal protection or financial resources, many live in poverty and depend on inadequate state support. Meanwhile, psychological abuse, though less visible, inflicts deep wounds. Neglect, verbal mistreatment, and emotional abandonment lead to depression, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. The stigma associated with aging further silences their voices, denying them the dignity they deserve.
The Protection Law of the Elderly and Its Shortcomings
In response to these issues, Mozambique passed the Protection Law of the Elderly in December 2013. This legislation aims to safeguard the rights of older citizens by ensuring access to healthcare, social support, and protection from abuse and discrimination. However, despite its noble intent, the law remains largely unknown and poorly enforced. Many elderly people are unaware of their rights, and state institutions often lack the capacity to implement or monitor compliance effectively. Limited social infrastructure, few government-run elderly care centres, and weak community support make it difficult to address the growing needs of this demographic. Accusations of witchcraft, ongoing poverty, and deeply rooted cultural norms continue to place the elderly at risk, while the lack of awareness campaigns further isolates them from the protection they are entitled to.
A Call for Change
To reverse this crisis, Mozambique must prioritise elderly care as a national issue. The government should expand access to financial assistance, safe housing, and community-based care centres. Awareness campaigns—via radio, television, social media, and grassroots outreach—can educate citizens about the rights of the elderly and the 2013 law. Law enforcement must also be equipped to address cases of abuse swiftly and seriously. Importantly, communities must be encouraged to reinstate traditional values of respect for elders, ensuring they are honoured, not harmed.
Conclusion
Mozambique’s elderly population is growing, but so too is their vulnerability. While the 2013 Protection Law exists, it is not enough. Greater awareness, stronger enforcement, and cultural change are essential. These elders walked so we could run. Now, it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are not left to walk alone in their final years.
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