Chadema elders’ council chairperson vows to push for elderly rights law

Dar es Salaam. The newly elected Chairperson of Chadema’s Elders’ Council (popularly known by its Kiswahili acronym as Bazecha), Ms Susan Lyimo, has vowed to campaign for the introduction of a law that will protect the rights and dignity of elderly citizens within society.

She told The Citizen’s sister paper yesterday in Dar es Salaam that her primary focus during her five-year term will be on advocating the passage of legislation aimed at safeguarding the welfare of elderly individuals.

She was elected Chairperson on January 13, 2025, after defeating Hashimu Juma in an election conducted by the council’s general assembly.

Lyimo, a former Chadema Member of Parliament, said although the National Ageing Policy has been in place since 2003, no law has been enacted to implement it, leaving elderly individuals vulnerable to exploitation, violence, lack of justice, and an absence of pensions.

“It has taken far too long to pass a law for the elderly, and I will fight vigorously for this cause. I want elderly people to age with dignity and enjoy their later years, rather than endure hardship despite the long lives they have been granted,” she stated.

The elderly, she said, were one of the most vulnerable groups in society, alongside women and children, but unlike these groups, they do not benefit from comprehensive legal protections.

Read: Remember that old is gold, the elders are our living heritage

Ms Lyimo also voiced concerns about the situation of elderly people in rural areas, who rely on firewood for cooking, and are sometimes killed due to accusations of witchcraft, with the appearance of red eyes from smoke exposure being a contributing factor.

“The National Ageing Policy was introduced in 2003 to outline how elderly people should be treated and supported. Currently, only retired civil servants receive pensions, while in Zanzibar, all elderly citizens receive pensions,” she noted.

“We need a law in place now. We fought for this when I was in Parliament, but the government promised to introduce a bill—which has not materialised. Without legislation, elderly individuals suffering from abuse have no legal avenue for redress,” she added.

Ms Lyimo argued that a legal framework must be put in place to formally recognise elderly citizens, define their needs, and establish their rights and protections.

“For example, there are elderly homes in Kigamboni, Babati and Moshi, but if you visit these facilities, you will see that the food, sleeping arrangements, and overall conditions are unfit,” she pointed out. She pledged to take the issue to Parliament, noting that there is room to present bills by non-MPs. She intends to collaborate with opposition MPs to ensure the bill is introduced and passed.

On the topic of women’s representation within Chadema, especially in top leadership roles, Ms Lyimo expressed her disappointment that the party continues to lack women in its highest ranks.

“I expected that at least one woman would be appointed to a senior leadership position, even if not through an election,” she said.

“I personally raised this matter with Chairman Freeman Mbowe and Tundu Lissu during the election period. I sat between them and asked them to consider appointing at least one woman to the leadership during their selection process,” she added.

Ms Lyimo rejected the notion that women are incapable of occupying senior positions, citing the many women who have successfully contested parliamentary elections and held other significant roles.

 “The real issue is patriarchy. I do not understand why it continues to persist. The Women’s Wing has been at the forefront in strengthening the party, yet we see no female representation in top leadership positions,” she said.

She vowed to continue questioning the party’s leaders, including Chairman Lissu and Vice-Chairperson John Heche, about why women are being overlooked despite the availability of competent and qualified candidates.

Despite her concerns, Lyimo commended former Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe for overseeing a transparent election process. She was particularly impressed with how Mbowe accepted the election results with grace and dignity.

“It is rare for someone to step down so smoothly after holding a position for so long, but he did so with great dignity. He deserves immense respect—he is a true diplomat,” she said.

“He has set an excellent example and left a lasting mark on this election process.”