Empowering Older People to Advocate for Their Rights: How Kwa Wazee Is Strengthening Voices Across Tanzania

Muleba District Commissioner Hon. Dr. Abel Nyamahanga responding to concerns raised by older people during International Day of Older Persons

Across the Kagera Region, older people continue to face unique challenges ranging from land insecurity and family disputes to harmful beliefs, stigma, and limited access to social protection. Recognizing these realities, Kwa Wazee has placed the empowerment of older people at the center of its mission. Through its community-based programs, the organization is strengthening the capacity of older men and women to understand, claim, and defend their rights with confidence.

Kwa Wazee supports elderly groups and councils across various districts, helping them become active advocates within their families and communities. Through regular training sessions, older people gain knowledge on legal rights, succession matters, property protection, gender-based violence, and how to engage with local authorities. This information empowers them to address disputes early, challenge discriminatory practices, and reduce the exploitation that often targets vulnerable elders.

The organization’s Social Protection and Empowerment Program has become a powerful platform where older people come together to learn, share experiences, and support one another. These platforms not only increase awareness but also build unity-making it easier for elders to raise issues collectively and influence decisions that affect their daily lives.

Kwa Wazee also works closely with local government structures including ward committees, social welfare offices, and village leaders promoting accountability and ensuring older people’s voices are included in planning, budgeting, and community dialogues. Many elders are now confidently participating in village meetings, reporting abuse, and following up on cases that previously would have been ignored.

Through advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement, Kwa Wazee is transforming lives and challenging long-standing attitudes towards aging. Older people are no longer passive recipients of support; they are becoming changemakers in their homes and communities. Their increased confidence and knowledge are contributing to safer, more inclusive, and more respectful communities across Kagera.

Empowering older people is not just a program for Kwa Wazee it is a commitment to justice, dignity, and equal rights for all. The organization will continue to work with partners, local leaders, and community members to ensure older people are heard, protected, and able to live with the respect they deserve.