Every year on June 15, the world pauses to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD); a day that shines light on the often silent suffering of older persons. From neglect and emotional mistreatment to financial exploitation and physical harm, elder abuse is a human rights issue that continues to grow as populations age. While it may seem like a distant problem to some young people, elder abuse is deeply connected to the values, systems, and choices that shape our society and youth have a critical role in ending it.
What is elder abuse and why should youth care?
Elder abuse refers to any act that harms an older person, whether through neglect, coercion, abandonment, or direct violence. It can occur in homes, communities, or institutions often by family members, caregivers, or people in positions of trust.
Globally, it's estimated that 1 in 6 people over the age of 60 experiences some form of abuse. In Africa, including Kenya, the problem is likely underreported due to social stigma, cultural taboos, and limited awareness. Many older people live in silence, without the protection of strong legal frameworks or adequate community support.
So why should youth care?
Because how we treat the elderly is a reflection of the values we’re building into the future. Because injustice is injustice whether it’s happening to a young woman denied opportunity, or an older man neglected and disrespected in his later years. Because one day, we will all age, and the systems we build today are the ones we will inherit tomorrow.
Elder abuse in Kenya: the hidden crisis
In Kenya, elder abuse remains a silent and overlooked issue, often masked by economic hardship, social shifts, and intergenerational tensions. With rising youth unemployment and urban migration, many elderly people are left isolated in rural areas, unsupported by family or community structures. In some regions, harmful traditional beliefs have also led to older women particularly widows being targeted in witchcraft-related violence.
Economic exploitation is also common. Some elderly citizens have had their pensions mismanaged, property grabbed, or bank accounts emptied by people they trusted. Others face emotional abuse from younger relatives who view them as burdens rather than as valued members of the family.
Intergenerational solidarity: A youth responsibility
As young people, we must reject the idea that concern for the elderly is someone else’s responsibility. Intergenerational solidarity, where different age groups support, listen to, and learn from one another, is a principle rooted in many African cultures, but one that is quickly eroding under the pressures of modern life.
Youth-led organisations, student unions, and community groups can play an active role in raising awareness of elder abuse. This could be through social media campaigns, storytelling projects, or volunteering with homes and programs that support the elderly.
We must also demand policy change. Kenya’s Constitution recognizes the rights of older persons, but implementation is weak. Social protection programs like Inua Jamii exist, but coverage is limited, and many elderly people remain unregistered or excluded. As youth, we must push our leaders to fund and enforce protections for older citizens, just as we advocate for youth empowerment and employment.
Lessons from the elders: wisdom, not waste
It’s easy to overlook the elderly in a world that glorifies speed, innovation, and youth. But older people hold stories, histories, and wisdom that are essential for community resilience. They are the keepers of oral traditions, family legacies, cultural memory, and life-tested advice. To sideline them is to impoverish ourselves.
When youth engage with older people, whether in rural villages or city estates, something powerful happens. We build empathy. We gain perspective. And we realize that empowerment is not a zero-sum game: a society that protects its most vulnerable is stronger for everyone.
This world elder abuse awareness day, let’s act
Marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day should not end with a post or a quote. It should move us to act in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our policymaking spaces. We must commit to a Kenya where elders are safe, valued, and respected.
Let us build bridges between generations, not walls. Let us remember that dignity doesn’t expire with age. And let us, as youth, be the generation that breaks the cycle of silence around elder abuse.
By: Caroline Kamau, Blessed Citron
Photo credits: Global Giving
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