Elder Abuse in Africa: What Policy and Legal Provisions Are There to Address the Violence?

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the context in which elder abuse occurs in Africa and the types of abuse that are manifested; proffers explanations for the abuse; offers a human rights approach to understanding and responding to the abuse; reviews policies on aging and legislation to protect older persons' rights; and considers strategies to prevent the abuse. The types of abuse are shown to be more violent than those prevalent in Western countries. The inefficiency or inadequacy of present systems to protect older persons against violence and abuse is highlighted.

KEYWORDS:

• Elder abuse
• violence
• Africa
• policies
• legal provisions
• human rights