Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Shidhatha Shareef has said that the number of cases of neglect and abuse of elderly people are on the rise.

Speaking at the function held at “Kudakudhinge Bageecha” to celebrate the International Elderly Day, Minister Shidhatha said that the elderly community faces different challenges in all parts of the world. And in the main cases reported in the country are that of neglect, abuse and discrimination.

The Gender Minister said that while the number of cases is on the rise, the country lacks the adequate laws to provide the best protection to the elderly. She said that the government is working, with a special attention, to make the relevant laws tok provide the necessary safety and protection.

Highlighting that the elderly community in the Maldives consists of those who provided great national service, Minister Shidhatha said that she does not believe in sidelining them after a certain age while we continuously reap the benefits of their contributions.

The International Elderly has been celebrated since to create awareness against the discrimination and abuse they suffer.