JOIN USAbuse of elderly on rise, say activists
Malti (name changed), 70, is a widow, illiterate, and living with her sons.
Her only source of income is her late husband’s pension which leaves her with no option but to depend financially on her children. Moreover, she needs assistance for her daily activities due to her physical disability.
Her daughter-in-law has to cater to her daily needs such as in-house movement, cleaning, washing and going out. “Even though my daughter-in-law assists me in all the activities, she does it grudgingly. She always speaks in a loud voice and uses foul language,” said Malti.
The daughter-in-law often abuses her by saying budhiya marti bhi nahi hai (the old woman does not even die) in front of her and her neighbours.
There are numerous similar instances of how the elderly are being abused in Delhi and other states as well.
According to a survey done by HelpAge India in 2011 across nine cities, daughters-in-laws are the major abusers of the elderly with 63.4 per cent abuse meted out by them, followed by the son with 44 per cent.
Abuse is rampant in the lower socio-economic strata and the scenario has not changed since 2011, but instances of abuse have increased significantly, claim civil rights activists.
“Every state is supposed to form a tribunal - special court - that caters to issues related to elder abuse according to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The rules in this act were revised in 2011,” said Harvinder Bakshi, national
director, HelpAge India.
He said Delhi is the only city which has an officer working towards the welfare of senior citizens in each district. Places such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have not even notified the act yet.
Less awareness
He added that awareness about laws, policies and programmes against elder abuse is low among the elderly from lower socio-economic strata.
The 2011 report further reveals that verbal abuse of elderly was highest in Delhi and national capital region, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai reaching 100 per cent.
Physical abuse was highest in Patna at 71 per cent and lowest in Ahmedabad. HelpAge India is working on a follow-up report and will issue it by June 15, 2012.
“The findings in this report are going to be more dramatic,” added Bakshi.
“The increasing trend of elder abuse can be attributed to reasons such as change in the social fabric and cultural values. The new generation is opting for nuclear families, residences in cities are getting smaller hence the natural preference for nuclear families is also impacting the rise in the cases of elder abuse. Due to modernisation and urbanisation, children are busy in their own lives and work, and spend less time with elders,” said a member of Agewell Foundation, Delhi.