MANEPO, FOCESE train journalists in Balaka on elderly rights
MANEPO, FOCESE train Balaka journalists to change elderly mentality , writes Ousman Kaliati.
Balaka, Malawi-Malawi Network for Older Persons Organisations (MANEPO), in conjunction with the Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE), has trained Balaka journalists on changing the negative mentality towards the elderly, writes Ousman Kaliati.
Speaking during the training on Tuesday, Goodwell Thunga, programs director at MANEPO, highlighted the significance of the media in disseminating information to the public, saying it is the only powerful tool they can rely on to change people's mentality toward the elderly.
"It is high time that people came to light about the human rights of old people, even when it comes to insurance companies. We don't understand why these elderly people are put aside as if they are not humans. People should know that every second of our life we get old and we are heading there, so let's respect the old ones," Thunga said.
In addition, Thunga said that they aim to reach all communities with such information and also educate the elderly about their rights in society, as people consider the elderly as witches, which is not the case.
Communications officer for FOSECE Annette Nalikugwi said they believe in the power of the media, saying on their own they cannot spread the information worldwide, but the fourth arm of the government, which is the media.
Blessings Makuwira, who works for Times Group, applauded the media training, saying he has been imparted with knowledge on how to report on issues concerning the elderly.
The training was held at Balaka Community Resource Centre and was attended by journalists from various media houses in the district.