Africa-Press – Lesotho. Thirty young people from Moshoeshoe II have come together to advocate for, create awareness and influence policies that are geared towards addressing elderly issues through an organization called Lesotho Age Network
(LNA). LNA Youth Representative Thato Hlasa revealed that some of the activities that LNA facilitates include sensitizing the community about
dementia, caring roles and other related matters through effective education, reducing fear, stigma and discrimination against older persons, collaborating
with law firms to see justice being delivered for the elderly who find themselves violated and facilitating access to services. Hlasa further indicated that LNA promotes mental, spiritual, social
and physical health of the elderly. The network also ensures that civil society organizations and government ministries create public awareness on ageing
issues and develops legislation for the protection and promotion of rights and welfare of older persons as one of the vulnerable groups. Moreover, he disclosed that they work hand in hand with the
Department of Elderly People under the Ministry of Social Development. One of the youth, Wilson Molapo who has attended LNA sensitization activities indicated that he learned a lot about sicknesses that affect the
elderly, especially dementia. He showed that he will never in his life think or insinuate that elders are witches as he now understands how dementia affects
them. On behalf of the Elders, Bolaoane Taaso said LNA helps them a lot as elders by providing them with fitness and recreational activities. She also
said they get a lot of information on how to take care of themselves amidst their elderly sicknesses. According to the Lesotho Policy for older persons (2014), about 8%
of the population of Lesotho is aged 60 years and above. This makes it roughly 150 000 old people in the country. In November 2004, the Government of Lesotho introduced the
non-contributory pension for older persons aged 70 years and above and this income has become the main source of livelihood for many households in the
country. The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is usually celebrated each year on June 15th and this year’s theme is “Access to justice”. It was officially
recognized by the United Nations General Assembly and it represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of older generations.
