Women's Representation and Elder Care in India

In 2029, India is set to have its most gender-representative Parliament due to the Women's Reservation Act, which reserves one-third of Lok Sabha seats for women. This marks a significant expansion in political representation, but representation alone is insufficient without a focused agenda.

The Urgency of Elder Care Policy

• The current lack of a policy framework for elder care that accounts for women is a pressing issue in India.
• Women like Gauri, who care for ageing relatives, are directly impacted by this deficiency.
• India's ageing population is growing rapidly, with over 100 million above 60 years, projected to exceed 250 million by 2040.
• Women tend to outlive men and face compounded disadvantages, including financial insecurity and lack of caregivers.

Existing Policies and Their Limitations

• The National Policy for Older Persons (1999) and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme lack a gender-specific approach.
• A significant gap exists in addressing the needs of ageing women in Indian policy frameworks.

The Invisibility of Ageing Women

• A 2023 study in Alzheimer's & Dementia highlights that 8.8 million Indians over 60 live with dementia, a number expected to double by 2036, with women disproportionately affected.
• Parliamentary records show a lack of focus on issues related to ageing women, indicating a need for increased political attention.

State Initiatives and Political Implications

• Maharashtra's recent launch of menopause clinics showcases the potential for state intervention, benefiting over 31,000 women within weeks.
• Such initiatives underline the importance of recognising women's realities in policy frameworks.

Building a Political Commitment

• Political parties need to integrate elder care and dignified ageing into their agendas as they prepare candidate pipelines for reserved seats.
• Ensuring candidates understand the full life cycle of women's experiences can lead to meaningful representation.
• Strategies include collecting age- and gender-disaggregated data, transparent budget reporting on elder care, and pre-election commitments to dignified ageing.

The upcoming Parliament, with its enhanced representation, has the potential to address these urgent issues if the necessary groundwork is laid within the next three years. Barkha Deva emphasizes the importance of policy initiatives for dignified ageing and elder care, urging immediate action to fulfill the promises made to women like Gauri and her mother.