It is very common for us to discard an item that has become old and replace it with something new and better. It is appalling that we function with the same mindset when it comes to older people. We become indifferent to their vulnerability, ignore their needs and often view them as a burden to ourselves and society. Old age comes with its share of challenges, be it ill health, economic and physical dependence on other family members or a jeopardized social status. With diminished social importance and role within families, older people may also be gripped by loneliness and isolation, which may cause further complications for their mental health. More often than not they silently live with violence, abuse, discrimination and stigma within their homes, families and communities which goes unreported because of lack of safe spaces that may allow them to express freely and voice their concerns.
Majority of older population live in rural India amidst lack of resources and infrastructure. Perennially drought-stricken regions like the Thar desert in India become more challenging for inhabitation with changing climate, extreme temperatures, sand storms, water scarcity and conditions that make human survival extremely difficult. This has a significant impact on the overall wellbeing of older people living in the desert as they continue to struggle with lack of water, food, institutional support as well as health and social infrastructure. These problems and challenges multiply in case of older women as they continue to face years of oppression and gender imbalance deeply rooted in the social and cultural norms. Both older men and women are generally labelled as non-productive liabilities and their participation in community activities as well as decision making takes a back seat because of their declining physical health and discrimination by younger generation. The biggest blow to their self-esteem and dignity is when their work or contribution is not recognized by their immediate families.
Abuse of older people, mental or physical, needs to be addressed and action at multiple levels is necessary. GRAVIS through its work in the Thar Desert has been working on leadership development among older people with a range of innovative interventions leading to their social integration, economic empowerment and improved health status. Older people from the Thar are already wise and have skills required to effectively respond to local disasters and climate adversities. What they needed was a platform that will encourage them to participate in community development activities and provide them a space to raise awareness against abuse or report if any. GRAVIS has formed over 1700 Older People’s Association (OPAs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Inter-generational Learning Groups (ILGs) in the Thar desert of India motivating older women, especially widows to become members.
These associations and groups are an important tool and platform to encourage community participation of elderly women, to reduce their social isolation and promote integration in social and economic processes leading to improvement of their quality of life. As members of these groups, older women experience a deep sense of dignity and feel empowered as they have a direct stake in changing the lives of other older people for better. They directly participate in discussions and make objective decisions pertaining to selection of beneficiaries for interventions and ensure that the needs of widows and single women are prioritized. This platform also provides older women with opportunities to interact with the outside world as well as voice their views and raise concerns.
This year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) emphasizes on the need to call on governments, international donors, civil society organizations, and communities to prioritize the safety and well-being of older persons in their emergency preparedness and response strategies as well as encourage the development of inclusive policies that will highlight the needs of older people during crisis situations. To mark the occasion, GRAVIS organized dialogues with the members of OPAs, SHGs and ILGs in villages across its multiple centres located in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur districts. Community members of all ages, castes, gender and religion participated in these discussions. Interactions on various subjects such as specific climate related challenges faced by older people, issues of elder abuse, its prevalence, signs and solutions were conducted and ideas were exchanged. To ensure holistic development of communities across the world, let’s renew our commitment to safeguard the rights and dignity of older people ensuring none of them has to endure any kind of abuse or is ever left out in times of natural or man-made crises.
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