The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) held a consultative discussion forum in Addis Ababa on June 18, 2026, to mark World Older Persons Abuse Awareness Day, which is observed annually on June 15. Organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Elderly and Pensioners National Association, HelpAge Ethiopia, and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the discussion brought together government officials, representatives of older persons’ associations, and human rights defenders.
During the discussion, a briefing highlighted EHRC’s role in human rights monitoring, education, training, and capacity-building aimed at upholding the rights of older persons. The discussion also addressed the daily challenges older persons face, including difficulties in accessing basic services such as health care and public transport. It was further noted that older persons’ pension income remains significantly low relative to the rising cost of living and prevailing economic realities in the country—a situation that forces older persons into dependency and leaves them increasingly vulnerable to various forms of economic abuse.
The discussion underscored the need for the government to take critical steps to prevent and eliminate rights violations against older persons. These include strengthening older persons’ associations at all levels; designing inclusive strategies across government institutions and service providers tailored to the needs of older persons; and establishing supplementary care and support systems to mitigate their economic and social vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the government must enact and monitor the implementation of older persons-centered legal and policy frameworks, expand abuse reporting and response mechanisms, and take practical measures to enhance community awareness.
EHRC Commissioner for Disability Rights and the Rights of Older Persons, Mohammed Ahmed, recalled the multifaceted vulnerabilities of older persons to abuse and stated that, alongside awareness-raising initiatives, establishing legal, policy, and institutional frameworks that deliver practical responses is essential to eliminate violence against older persons. He further emphasized that older persons have the right to equally benefit from the country’s development activities and urged the government to take measures to ensure their social and economic well-being.