Advocacy and Policy Influencing
Transforming Systems and Societies for Older Persons’ Rights
The perception of older persons in African communities has changed dramatically from being valued for their wisdom to facing discrimination, neglect, and even violence including accusations of witchcraft. At Ethel Foundation, we recognize that institutional ageism is widespread, with policies and programs systematically excluding older persons from decision-making processes and essential services.
Our Vision for Change
We envision a transformed society where policies, institutions, and communities recognize and protect the inherent dignity and rights of older persons. Our advocacy is fueled by the understanding that systemic change requires challenging deeply entrenched ageist attitudes, discriminatory policies, and institutional barriers that marginalize older persons. We are committed to reshaping societal attitudes that have shifted from honoring elders to perpetuating harmful stereotypes and exclusion. Our vision extends beyond individual interventions to creating lasting systemic transformation that ensures older persons are not just protected from harm, but are actively included as valued contributors to society’s development and decision-making processes.
Policy Transformation Areas
Legal Framework Development & Rights Protection
We spearhead the development of comprehensive legal frameworks that protect and promote the rights of older persons at local, national, and continental levels. Our work includes collaborating with stakeholders to draft legislation specifically for older persons, creating robust legal protections against age-based discrimination, violence, abuse, and neglect. We advocate for constitutional recognition of older persons’ rights and work to ensure that existing laws are enforced effectively. Through strategic litigation and legal advocacy, we challenge discriminatory practices and push for policy reforms that guarantee older persons equal access to justice, healthcare, and social services.
Social Protection System Enhancement & Economic Policy Reform
We champion comprehensive reforms to social protection systems that currently exclude or inadequately serve older persons. Our advocacy focuses on transforming economic policies to ensure financial security in later life, including our ongoing campaign to increase the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer from KES 2,000 to KES 6,000. We work tirelessly to establish medical social insurance systems tailored specifically for older persons, challenging age limits imposed by insurance companies and advocating for universal healthcare coverage that includes geriatric care. Our economic policy advocacy extends to pension reforms, retirement planning policies, and inclusive financial services that recognize older persons as economic participants rather than burdens.
Social Attitude Transformation & Community Mobilization
We lead comprehensive campaigns to transform harmful social attitudes and cultural practices that perpetuate ageism, violence, and discrimination against older persons. Our work addresses dangerous stereotypes including witchcraft accusations that lead to violence, abuse, and social exclusion. Through community education, intergenerational dialogue, and cultural transformation initiatives, we work to restore respect for older persons while adapting traditional values to modern contexts. We mobilize communities to recognize older persons as wisdom keepers and valuable contributors rather than burdens, fostering inclusive communities where aging is celebrated rather than feared.
Evidence-Based Research & Academic Collaboration
We conduct and commission rigorous research on the status, needs, and rights of older persons to inform our advocacy strategies and policy recommendations. Our research partnerships with universities and institutions studying aging ensure that our advocacy is grounded in solid evidence and data. We document violations of older persons’ rights, analyze policy gaps, and generate compelling evidence that drives systemic change. Our research findings are strategically used for advocacy at community, national, and continental levels, ensuring that policy makers have access to accurate, current information about the challenges and opportunities related to aging in Kenya and across Africa.
Our Advocacy Strategy
We believe in multi-level, evidence-driven advocacy for systemic transformation. Our strategic approach includes:
Rights-based advocacy and legal empowerment of older persons
Educating older persons about their rights while building their capacity to advocate for themselves and demand accountability from duty bearers
Multi-stakeholder coalition building and institutional partnership development
Creating strategic alliances with government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international partners to amplify our advocacy impact
Evidence generation and policy analysis for informed advocacy interventions
Conducting research, documenting cases, and analyzing existing policies to build compelling arguments for systemic change
Community mobilization and social norm transformation for cultural change
Working at grassroots levels to shift attitudes, challenge harmful practices, and build community support for older persons’ rights and inclusion
Systemic Change Achieved
Legal and Policy Transformation
Driving concrete policy reforms and legal changes that protect and empower older persons through strategic advocacy, research, and stakeholder engagement at all levels of government.
Our collaboration with Social Impact Development Solutions (SIDS) has resulted in comprehensive policy analysis and formal memoranda presented to the Ministry of Social Health and Protection, driving critical reforms in how government approaches older persons’ issues. Our ongoing advocacy for legislative change includes active participation in drafting bills for older persons that will create robust legal frameworks protecting their rights and ensuring their inclusion in national development planning.
Institutional Change & Government Engagement
We have successfully influenced government institutions and policy makers to recognize and prioritize older persons’ needs in policy development and implementation.
Through strategic engagement with county commissioners, ministry officials, and other government stakeholders, we have positioned older persons’ issues on government agendas across multiple counties including Nakuru, Kisumu, Nairobi, Kisii, and Tharaka Nithi. Our advocacy has contributed to increased government attention to aging issues and greater recognition of the need for age-inclusive policies and programs.
Social Norm Transformation & Community Change
We actively challenge harmful stereotypes and discriminatory practices while building community support for older persons’ rights and dignity
Through initiatives like the Golden Voices Project and Misean Cara Advocacy, we have directly addressed violence, abuse, and neglect against older persons while building community capacity to protect and support their older members. Our work has contributed to changing community attitudes and reducing incidents of violence and discrimination against older persons in the communities where we operate.
Evidence-Based Advocacy Impact
We have successfully generated and utilized research evidence to inform policy debates and drive systemic changes that benefit older persons across Kenya and beyond.
Our partnerships with universities researching aging have produced valuable evidence that informs our advocacy strategies and policy recommendations. Our research on the status of older persons has been instrumental in advocacy efforts at community, national, and continental levels, contributing to increased recognition of older persons’ rights and needs in policy circles and academic discourse.