Blantyre, MALAWI – Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has reported that 11 older persons were killed in the first four months of 2026 over witchcraft accusations as the country joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Older Persons.
MHRC Executive Secretary Habiba Osman made the remarks in a statement released on Thursday during the commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons, saying the killings were part of continued violence and human rights violations faced by older persons in Malawi.
Osman said 22 older persons were killed throughout 2025 over witchcraft accusations, with the number recorded in the first four months of 2026 raising concern over the continued violence against the elderly.
“The most egregious challenge remains the alarming escalation of violence, harassment, and killings driven by harmful cultural practices and baseless witchcraft accusations,” said Osman.
She said apart from violence, older persons continued to face poverty, social exclusion and limited access to basic resources, while many lacked formal social security systems.
”Public infrastructure and health facilities also rarely cater for the specific physical, psychological and medical needs of older persons, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation,” she added.
Osman said that although Malawi had made progress through the enactment of the Older Persons Act in 2024 and the launch of the National Action Plan on Inclusion and Protection of Older Persons, implementation of the frameworks remained critical.
”We therefore call on the government and other stakeholders to strengthen social protection programmes, improve access to age-friendly health services and ensure perpetrators of violence against older persons were brought to justice,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Esmie Tamanda Kainja said Malawi continues to experiencing demographic changes characterised by declining fertility and increasing longevity, resulting in a steady growth in the population of people aged 60 and above.
“While life expectancy has improved, many older Malawians face challenges of poor health, limited social protection, and economic insecurity,” said Kainja.
Kainja said this year’s theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” called for governments, communities and institutions to adapt health, social protection and economic systems to ensure longer lives were lived with dignity, security and purpose.