HP: 66% of elderly women faced physical violence

June 15, 2023

About 66 per cent of the elderly women in Himachal Pradesh have been victims of physical violence with son being the perpetrator in 56 per cent of these cases.
The percentage of older women facing physical abuse in the state is more than the national percentage of 50 per cent revealed the report titled ‘Women & Ageing: Invisible or Empowered?’ released on the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The report claimed that the incidents of physical abuse against elders have been increasing at the rate of 16 per cent at national level and 15 per cent in HP.
There are about 3.66 lakh elderly women in HP, higher in number than elderly male population.
According to report, about 17 per cent of old women reported facing “disrespect” while another 17 per cent went through “emotional/ psychological abuse.
In 56 per cent cases the main perpetrator was son, followed by the daughter-in-law at 15 per cent, and relatives at 12 per cent, he said, adding that 48 per cent of elderly women reported being “financially insecure.”
The report, based on a survey conducted by Ipsos, studied trends in 20 states and five Union Territories with a total sample size of more than 7,900. The sample size in HP was 400.