Chennai: About 16% of the elderly women in the country NagapattinamRamanathapuram and Chennai districts of Tamil Nadu face abuse and about 80% of elderly women in Chennai feel neglected and their families do not spend enough time with them. HelpAge Indiasaid in the National 2023 Report of
The report said physical violence topped the list at 52%, followed by verbal abuse at 51%, with 33% perpetrated by sons, 33% by other relatives and 12% by daughters-in-law. About 5% do not report the issue for fear of retaliation or further abuse and 6% were not aware of available resources, it said. Around 13% felt that their concerns would not be taken seriously.
Report, “Women and Aging: Invisible or Empowered,” released ICSA Center in Egmore On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday, the data was compiled from 20 states, two union territories and five metros with a sample size of 7,911 participants.
Edwin BabuThe HelpAge India director said that most women, especially the elderly, do not feel that they are being abused as they feel that their children or their husbands have a right to treat them the way they want. “In most cases, they are afraid to speak up and that is why we only see 16%; we are sure there are more,” said. The reason, she said, is the lack of tolerance among young people and the fact that these older women feel helpless.
Besides facing abuse, most elderly women are financially insecure, she said. “Their children either take away their savings or pension and they are left with nothing. All these issues can only be rectified through awareness and willingness to speak out against these evils,” he added.
The report said physical violence topped the list at 52%, followed by verbal abuse at 51%, with 33% perpetrated by sons, 33% by other relatives and 12% by daughters-in-law. About 5% do not report the issue for fear of retaliation or further abuse and 6% were not aware of available resources, it said. Around 13% felt that their concerns would not be taken seriously.
Report, “Women and Aging: Invisible or Empowered,” released ICSA Center in Egmore On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday, the data was compiled from 20 states, two union territories and five metros with a sample size of 7,911 participants.
Edwin BabuThe HelpAge India director said that most women, especially the elderly, do not feel that they are being abused as they feel that their children or their husbands have a right to treat them the way they want. “In most cases, they are afraid to speak up and that is why we only see 16%; we are sure there are more,” said. The reason, she said, is the lack of tolerance among young people and the fact that these older women feel helpless.
Besides facing abuse, most elderly women are financially insecure, she said. “Their children either take away their savings or pension and they are left with nothing. All these issues can only be rectified through awareness and willingness to speak out against these evils,” he added.