87% elderly women face bias: Survey

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Around 87 per cent out of 1,000 older women in nine districts of the national capital have faced age related discrimination, while 62.3 per cent women were illiterate, 90 per cent have virtually no knowledge of women rights, due to illiteracy or lack of exposure to outer world.

According to a survey conducted by non- government organisation ( NGO) Agewell Foundation, the respondents’ family members had abused 62 per cent of older women. Also it was noticed that in rural areas, the status of literacy level among older women was more critical. In some areas, 100 per cent illiteracy was reported among elderly women.

Furthermore, 28 per cent of older women had no source of monthly income, while 21.2 per cent older women were living alone in their houses. Around 31 per cent older women had not been admitted in any hospital for treatment so far in their old age, according to the survey.

For the survey, which was conducted in February, a representative sample of 1,000 older women was interviewed spread across nine districts of Delhi.

The survey was done to assess the status of older women with the objectives of identifying responsible factors of

The survey was conducted to assess the status of older women with the aim to identify factors responsible for the worse living conditions and violation of human rights of older women and to create awareness and suggest points to policymakers

miserable living conditions and violation of human rights of older women of the capital to create awareness and suggest specific points to policymakers.

More than a half ( 52 per cent) of older women said they are being marginalised from their families or societies or not getting proper respect from other people, even from their family members.

During the survey conducted recently, the interviewers were also directed to observe the living conditions of the respondents and as per those, it was found that 43.9 per cent older women were living in inhuman conditions.

The interviewers also took comprehensive interviews managing timebound schedules to collect information or impression or views from the selected older persons from across the capital.