Feminization of aging means more elderly women in senior citizen group, they face unique vulnerabilities like poverty, poor health, and social isolation, rooted in lifelong gender inequalities. Despite their societal contributions, they lack financial security and adequate healthcare. Way Forward require gender-sensitive policies, robust social protection, and community support for equitable and dignified aging.
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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU
Context
Elderly women live longer than men, but face greater health and financial challenges due to lifelong gender inequality, the feminization of aging demands inclusive, gender-sensitive policies.
It refers to the increasing proportion of women within the elderly population.
Globally, women form 55% of the population aged 65+, and 62% for aged 80+, according to the UN World Population Ageing Report (2022).
By 2050, nearly 80% of the world’s elderly population will live in low- and middle-income countries, where women face challenges due to inadequate social and healthcare systems.
McKinsey Health Institute estimates that women spend 25% more time in poor health compared to men, in their later years.
In Indian Context
As per the National Statistical Office (NSO) report (2021), women constitute 52% of elderly population.
Sex ratio for India's elderly population aged 60 and above is 1,065 women per 1,000 men, projected to increase to 1,078 women per 1,000 men by 2031. (Source: ORF)
In 2019, the life expectancy for males was 69.5 years, for females it was 72.2 years. Biological factors, is one of the reason, contribute to women's longer life expectancy.
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India Ageing Report 2023 (by UN Population Fund)
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Economic Insecurity: Women's lower workforce participation and wage gaps leave them financially dependent on families or state pensions.
Digital Illiteracy: A survey by the Agewell India Foundation found that 95% of elderly women are digitally illiterate, compared to 76.5% of elderly men. The 2024 ASER report shows that only 65% of rural women are literate.
Inadequate Social Protection: Government pension amounts under schemes like the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) are insufficient to cover living costs, and schemes have limited coverage.
Health Disparities: Limited healthcare access, coupled with cultural norms that prioritize men's health, leaves many women untreated.
Social Isolation and Abuse: Around 65% of elderly women are widowed, compared to just 15% of elderly men, resulting in financial and emotional vulnerabilities.
Psychological Dysfunction: Loneliness and lack of family interaction lead to psychological issues, including depression, anxiety disorders (panic disorder, phobias), and cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Caregiving Burden: Even in their 60s and 70s, many women continue to caregiving duties for spouses, children, and grandchildren.
National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) (1999) serves as a foundational policy for the welfare of seniors.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, part of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), provide monthly pensions to eligible senior citizens living below the poverty line.
Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act (2007) provide framework for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens.
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Highlights of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill 2019 Definition of "maintenance" expands to include the provision of healthcare, safety, and security for parents and senior citizens to lead a life of dignity. Expands definitions of family members obligated to provide maintenance.
Removed the upper limit of Rs 10,000 per month on maintenance fees. Maintenance Tribunals will determine amounts based on the senior citizen's standard of living and earnings, and the children's earnings. Introduced penalties for abuse/abandonment of senior citizens, punishable with imprisonment between three and six months, a fine up to Rs 10,000, or both. |
Annapurna Scheme (2000) provides 10 kg of free food grains per month to elderly persons above 65 years.
National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term, comprehensive, and dedicated care services to the aging population.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, universal health insurance scheme covers elderly people aged 70+.
Channelizing CSR funds for Elderly care: Direct Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds towards elderly care projects.
Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: By Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, includes five main components:
Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Providing guaranteed monthly pensions to subscribers (18-40 years) upon reaching 60 years.
Vayoshreshtha Samman: National awards recognizing the contributions of eminent senior citizens and institutions working for the elderly.
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Constitutional Provisions Article 41; State to make provision for public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, disablement, and undeserved want, within its economic capacity. Article 46: State to promote special care of the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections and protect them from social injustice and exploitation. |
Initiatives for elder women at International level
United Nations (UN) research and global policy frameworks address gendered aging.
Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) highlights three policy directions: older persons and development, advancing health and well-being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include initiatives to address gendered aging. (SDG 5 Gender Equality)
Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland have comprehensive welfare systems, including universal healthcare and pension schemes, that reduce economic vulnerabilities among elderly women.
Strengthening Healthcare and Nutrition Systems
Develop geriatric healthcare services, including dedicated clinics, long-term care facilities, and community-based programs.
Strengthen rural healthcare system, address disparities in healthcare access, shortage of doctors and nurses, and lack of transport facilities like ambulances.
Enhance training for ASHA workers in elderly care, provide technological aids, formal recognition, and adequate compensation.
Extend Ayushman Bharat coverage to include outpatient department (OPD) care, physiotherapy, medicines, and home-based palliative care.
Enhancing Financial Security and Social Protection
Design a universal pension scheme for elderly women that is sufficient to cover living expenses and is adjusted for inflation.
Strict implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act (2007) to ensure the welfare of senior citizens.
Promote Financial Literacy (eg. PM Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan) to empower women.
Introduce a 'Vriddha Mitra' programme in government offices to guide elderly persons through official processes.
Improve Governance and Systemic Integration
Data collection and analysis, using AI/ML models to improve the understanding of biological and social barriers to design better policy.
Implement a multidimensional strategy involving collaboration across social welfare, health, and rural/urban development ministries and organizations.
Involve Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs) in designing and implementing old age pensions and health insurance programs.
Ensure decent working conditions and suitable workplaces for elderly women, mainly those engaged in hard labor in the informal sector or under schemes like MGNREGS.
Establish district-level emergency services for elderly women during natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, or domestic crises.
Adapt successful gender-sensitive aging policies and comprehensive welfare systems from other countries, such as Nordic nations.
By integrating these gender-sensitive strategies into aging policies and societal structures, India can empower its elderly women to live their later years with dignity, security, and purpose, transforming the "silver challenge" into a "Silver Dividend" that benefits society as a whole.
Source: THE HINDU
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Feminisation of ageing presents a complex socio-economic challenge. Discuss issues faced by elderly women and suggest policy measures to address them. (250 words) |
It refers to the increasing proportion of women within the elderly population.
Limited healthcare access, cultural norms prioritizing men's health, financial constraints, and insufficient female health providers are significant barriers.
It refers to harnessing the potential of seniors to contribute to society and the economy through thoughtful policies and innovative solutions, transforming the aging challenge into an opportunity.
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