The elderly people in Moldova are subject to violence and are discriminated, while their living conditions are below any limit. The issue was discussed in the talk show “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.

Dina Ciubotaru, projects coordinator at “HelpAge International”, said the rights of the elderly people in Moldova are massively violated. “More than one fourth of the elderly people are subject to violence, especially on the part of family members. The elderly are also discriminated on the ground of age and are often not offered qualified medical aid because of this. It’s known that most of the elderly people live in conditions of abject poverty,” she stated.

Aliona Creţu, head of the demographic policies division of the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, confirmed that the Moldovan elderly people are in a difficult situation. “The risks are great. If the state does not work out courageous policies, the poverty level of the elderly will grow,” she said.

UNFPA Representative in Moldova Ian McFarlane considers the problems faced by the elderly in Moldova derive from the mentality of society. “In Moldova, the elderly people are regarded as a burden. The Moldovan authorities weren’t prepared to cope with the problems of the elderly. In fact, the discrimination of the elderly people is a global phenomenon. I think the Moldovan authorities must be better prepared to deal with the problems of the elderly,” stated McFarlane.