Shocking Study Reveals 40% Of Elderly Women Suffer Abuse By Their Own Sons

On the UN-recognised "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day," a report published by HelpAge India under the title "Women & Ageing: Invisible or Empowered?" surveyed 7,911 women between the ages of 60 and 90 over a period of one month from May to June.

The respondents of the study were elderly women from both urban and rural India, across 20 states and two Union Territories, across various socio-economic categories.

The report revealed that 16 percent of older women experienced abuse. 50 percent of them reported experiencing physical abuse, 46 percent claimed verbal abuse, and 40 percent alleged emotional abuse.

Elderly Women Abuse In India

The main perpetrator among 40 percent of the women turned out to be the woman’s own sons; 31 percent were revealed to be relatives; and 27 percent were reported to be their daughters-in-law.

The survey also highlighted that most elderly women don’t report the abuse they face out of fear. 18 percent of women said that they feared retaliation or further abuse; 16 percent claimed that they were unaware of the resources available to help them; and 13 percent believed that their concerns would not be taken seriously.

According to the report, 56 percent of older women lacked awareness of abuse redressal mechanisms. Only a mere 15 percent of elderly women were aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.

The majority of the participants in the survey—a whopping 78 percent—stated that they were unaware of the government welfare schemes for elderly people.

The social status of elderly women also contributed to their being subjected to abuse. 64 percent of women faced social discrimination due to their marital status; most of these women were divorced, and 18 percent reported that they were discriminated against based on their gender. More than half of the participants, or 53 percent of women, stated that they weren’t financially secure.

Out of the 47 percent of women who do feel financially secure, 79 percent of them, which is a majority, were dependent on their children; 66 percent of them didn't own any properties in their names; and 75 percent of them reported that they didn't have any savings.

The study also noted a significant digital divide. 60 percent of the elderly women participants reported that they'd never used digital devices before; 59 percent said that they didn’t own smartphones; and only 13 percent revealed that they wished to enrol in a skill development programme online.

With regard to health, 48 percent of the women were diagnosed with at least one chronic disease; however, 64 percent of them didn’t have health insurance.

67 percent of the elderly women were continuing to play caregiving roles in the family, while the remaining 36 percent were unable to do so.

The CEO of HealpAge India, Rohit Prasad, said that some areas that need to be immediately addressed are raising awareness of the government’s welfare schemes for elders, pension schemes, health care and economic programmes, special schemes, and recourse to redressal mechanisms for elderly women facing abuse.

While we talk about domestic abuse, we focus primarily on abusive relationships in a marital relationship and sometimes parental abuse. Seldom do we recognise that elderly women too suffer domestic abuse at the hands of their own families. However, this study is an eye-opener, showing that elderly abuse is yet another worrisome issue that needs to be curbed in our country.

We need to remember that just because the tables have turned and the elderly women in our families are now dependent on us for survival doesn't entitle us to abuse them. It's our responsibility to provide them with a dignified life.

Suggested Reading: 70-Year-Old Woman Locked In Toilet: Why Are We Silent About Elder Abuse In India?

Image Credits: Tehelka