Aging with Disparity: The Fight for Rights and Dignity of India's Elderly Women

12-03-2024

Shahad Ghannam

Legal Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

Summary: Unveiling the hidden struggles of India's older women against the backdrop of economic, social, and health disparities, calling for urgent action to secure their dignity and rights. 

In the bustling landscape of India, older women navigate a complex matrix of discrimination that affects their economic status, social integration, and health. From an economic standpoint, older women face significant financial instability characterised by low income, insufficient support systems, and increased dependency. This economic vulnerability is notably pronounced during widowhood, a period that exacerbates their financial insecurity due to decreased work participation and earnings, coupled with heightened economic needs. The societal placement of older women is equally concerning, with their living conditions often being precarious, marked by difficulties in adapting to the transitions and challenges that accompany old age, including significant life events such as the loss of a spouse.

Health disparities add another layer of hardship, with many older women in India reporting poor health, diminished mental well-being, and an array of functional health issues. These health challenges are compounded by gender disparities across multiple domains, including income, asset ownership, and access to social networks and welfare schemes, painting a grim picture of the gendered dimensions of aging. The "UN Decade of Healthy Ageing: Plan of Action 2021–2030" sheds light on these disparities, highlighting the economic inequities and workforce challenges older women face due to systemic discrimination. This discrimination manifests in lower pension benefits, restricted access to social welfare, and unequal treatment in labor markets, further exacerbated by cultural practices and norms that infringe upon their rights and well-being.

Personal stories, as documented by The Wire, bring these abstract concepts to life, illustrating the profound societal neglect and abuse many older women face in the region. Amrit Kaur, for example, was abandoned at the train station by her son, leading her to a homeless shelter. In a more disturbing revelation, another older woman suffered a gruesome fate at the hands of her son, who confessed to throwing his 64-year-old mother off their home's terrace, due to her illness and the burden she represented. These personal accounts are more than isolated incidents; they are a reflection of a deeply ingrained societal issue that views older women as burdens rather than as valuable members deserving of care and respect. This perception, rooted in patriarchal norms, not only devalues the immense contributions these women have made throughout their lives without economic compensation, particularly in their roles as caregivers, but also exposes them to severe risks of abuse and neglect.

The legal landscape in India offers some protections for older women, such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007, which aims to provide a safety net. However, these laws often fall short of addressing the multifaceted nature of discrimination older women face, particularly for those who are childless, unmarried or belong to marginalised groups such as Muslim or trans women. The introduction of the Protection of Rights of Widows and Single Women and Abolishment of Widowhood Practices Bill in 2022 was a step towards addressing these gaps, yet much remains to be done to destigmatise widowhood and singlehood, and empower older women from all walks of life. Nonetheless, there is also a need for stronger enforcement of the existing legal protections and a shift in societal attitudes towards older women. 

Confronting these challenges demands a holistic approach that goes beyond legal remedies to include societal and cultural shifts in perception and value. Promoting financial security, improving healthcare access, and valuing the unpaid care work many older women perform are essential steps toward ensuring their dignity, independence, and quality of life in their later years. As India moves towards the goals of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, recognising and addressing the unique needs of older women based on their diverse experiences and backgrounds will be crucial in crafting inclusive policies and interventions.

Sources and further readings:

1. UNFPA India, 'Thematic Paper on Women and Ageing' (UNFPA India, no date) <https://india.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/ThematicPaper2-Womenandageing.pdf> (accessed 14 March 2024).
2. World Health Organization, 'Decade of Healthy Ageing: Plan of Action' (2020) <https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/decade-of-healthy-ageing-plan-of-action> (accessed 14 March).
3. Dey, Deblina, 'Abused, Abandoned, Neglected: The Plight of India’s Older Women' (The Wire, 8 March 2024) <https://thewire.in/women/abused-abandoned-neglected-the-plight-of-indias-older-women> (accessed 13 March 2024).
4. 'Human Rights Watch Submission to the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons on the Human Rights of Older Women' (Human Rights Watch, April 2021). 
5. Pandit, Ambika, 'Survey Finds 45% Elderly Women Face Harassment by Own Family; Dependence and Isolation Key Concerns' (Times of India, 8 March 2024) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/survey-finds-45-elderly-women-face-harassment-by-own-family-dependence-and-isolation-key-concerns/articleshow/108313331.cms> (accessed 13 March 2024).