In Zimbabwe’s rural communities, the National Age Network of Zimbabwe has noted with a grave concern that older persons those aged 60 and above are often forgotten in the formulation and implementation of social service policies. Yet, this demographic continues to face significant challenges in accessing basic social services such as healthcare, clean water, food, and disaster relief. These challenges are not just inconveniences; they are violations of basic human rights, including the right to dignity, equality, and access to essential services.
Another growing concern is that older persons are a forgotten demographic group whose value is not systematically prioritized. For instance, national data collection tools such as the DHIS 2 only gather data on persons below the age of 50. This clearly indicates that individuals over the age of 50 are not recorded or included in available statistics, leading to their exclusion from policy and program planning. Older persons in rural Zimbabwe often live in isolation, poverty, and poor health. Many are caregivers to orphaned grandchildren, living on limited or no income and relying on subsistence farming, an activity increasingly vulnerable to climate shocks. With few social safety nets and almost nonexistent pension coverage in rural areas, older persons are left to fend for themselves.
In theory, Zimbabwe’s Constitution and national policies recognize the rights of older persons. The Constitution explicitly mandates that the State must take measures to ensure the well-being of the elderly. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story of systemic neglect, under-funding, and a lack of inclusive planning. Recently, there was an outcry regarding the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), with allegations of mismanagement of funds contributed by citizens for their old age social protection. For instance, the $20 monthly social grant to older persons was last disbursed in 2022. This has left many who rely solely on this grant more vulnerable, forcing them to depend heavily on families and friends. The situation is even more dire for institutionalized older persons, whose survival depends entirely on well-wishers due to chronic under-funding of these facilities.
Access to healthcare remains one of the most pressing concerns for older persons, owing to both physical inaccessibility and demographic neglect. Many rural clinics lack essential medicines, diagnostic equipment, and trained personnel to address age-related illnesses. Older persons often suffer from chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, which require regular monitoring and treatment. Due to long distances, high costs, and lack of transportation, many are unable to visit health facilities regularly. Additionally, older people face discrimination within the healthcare system. They are often treated as low-priority patients, with some healthcare providers believing that investing in their treatment is less valuable than treating younger individuals. This ageist attitude violates their right to equitable healthcare.
Access to clean water is another major issue. In many rural areas, older persons must travel long distances to fetch water an arduous and sometimes dangerous task for individuals who may already be frail. This becomes even more problematic during droughts or disasters such as floods, which compromise access to safe water and sanitation facilities. According to the 2025 ZimLAC report and the Cereal Insecurity Fact Sheet, about 45% of the rural population resort to open defecation and rely on unsafe sources of household water. This has led to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea diseases among older persons and the broader community. Despite their vulnerability, older persons are frequently overlooked during humanitarian responses, which tend to prioritize children and pregnant women. While these groups are undoubtedly at risk, the exclusion of older adults from emergency aid is a direct violation of their right to protection and assistance.
Issues of hunger and malnutrition are everyday realities for many older rural Zimbabweans. Limited income-generating opportunities exacerbated by drought and physical decline makes it difficult for them to grow or buy food. Government food aid programs, when available, are irregular and not always accessible to older individuals who are unable to travel to distribution points. This underscores the urgent need for continuous, targeted food assistance for older persons. Although Zimbabwe has been removed from the global hunger watch list, older persons remain cereal insecure due to over-reliance on family and friends for food. Older women, many of whom are widowed, bear a disproportionate burden as they care for grandchildren while struggling to meet their own nutritional needs. The absence of targeted food programs and functional safety nets violates their right to an adequate standard of living.
To uphold the rights of older persons, policymakers in Zimbabwe must adopt a more inclusive, rights-based approach to social service delivery. There is an urgent need to deliberately include older persons in all stages of planning, program design, and data collection. Improving and rehabilitating institutions such as old people’s homes is also essential. A well-equipped institution can greatly improve the quality of life for older persons, especially those with refugee status or those who are displaced. As NANZ we recommend and advocate for betterment of social services of older persons through the following measures:
- Establish mobile health units to reduce travel distances and deliver healthcare directly to older persons in rural and most remote areas.
- Expand social protection schemes, including the revival and proper budgeting of old-age pension grants and targeted food support for older persons.
- Invest in water infrastructure such as boreholes situated closer to communities to ensure safe and easy access for older persons.
- Conduct continuous training for health workers on geriatric care and age-sensitive service delivery.
- Ensure the active involvement of older persons in policy dialogues and local governance to make their voices and needs heard.
The challenges older persons face in accessing social services in rural Zimbabwe are not just logistical—they are deeply rooted in systemic ageism and policy neglect. It is time for the government, civil society, and international partners to recognize that the rights of older people are human rights. Their inclusion in national development plans is not optional; it is a moral and legal imperative for achieving inclusive and cohesive development
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