OLDER WOMEN IN NIGERIA: ISSUES FOR POLICY ATTENTION
Keywords:
older women, Nigeria, vulnerabilities, quality of lifeAbstract
The paper examines the quality of life of older females in the context of a rapidly aging population, high youth unemployment, high rate of extreme poverty and the diminished capacities of adult children in fulfilling their filial obligations. Using secondary materials, including census figures and published research findings and newspaper reports, the paper highlights the risks, disadvantages and vulnerabilities of older women. The increase in the number of skipped generation households, the visibility of female elders engaging in public alms solicitations, emotional and sexual abuse of older women are some of the trends identified and discussed as signaling compromised quality of life of older females. Paper concludes that women become disadvantaged in old age because the society, institutions and some cultural practices over the life course puts them at a disadvantage. Paper therefore makes three recommendations: the need for a full range of policy actions to address the risks, vulnerabilities, discriminations that women face through the life course that culminates in poor quality of life in old age; need for a safety net mechanism that will be available at critical periods of temporary vulnerability in a woman’s life as well as policy and programme responses for those older women who have fallen through the net. Paper also recommends the establishment of a national data set on older women to identify geographical and social vulnerability indicators in order to enhance accurate targeting of programme interventions.ÂReferences
Adebowale, S.A., Ahe O., & Ayeni, O. (2012). Elderly Well-being in a Rural Community in North Central Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa. Public Health Research. 2(4), 92-101.
Afolayan, G.E. (2011). Widowhood Practices and the Rights of Woman: The case of South Western Nigeria.
Erasmus: International Institute of Social Studies.
Agbalajobi, D. T. (2010). Womens participation and the political process in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 4(2), 075-082.
Ajomale, O. (2007). Elder Abuse: The Nigerian Experience. Research Committee on Sociology of Ageing (RCII).
Allain T. J., Wilson, A. O., Z. A., Mushangi, E., Senzanje B., Adamchak, D. J., & Matenga, J. A. (1997). Morbidity and Disability in Elderly Zimbabweans. Age and Ageing. 26(2): 115-121
Animasahun, V. J., & Chapman, H. J. (2017). Psychosocial health challenges of the elderly in Nigeria: a narrative review. African Health Sciences, 17(2), 575-583.
Apata, T., Rahji, M., Apata, O., Ogunrewo, J., & Igbalajobi, O. (2010). Effects of HIV/AIDS epidemic and related sicknesses on family and community structures in Nigeria: Evidence of emergence of older care-givers and orphan hoods. Journal of Science and Technology Education Research, 1(4), 73-84
Araromi, M. A. (2015). Protecting the Rights of Old People in Nigeria: Towards a Legal Reform. Journal of
Law, Policy and Globalization. 40: 131-143
Astbury, J. (2001). Gender disparities in mental health. Department of Mental Health and substance Dependence, WHO.
Atata, S. N. (2018). Aged women, witchcraft, and social relations among the Igbo in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Journal of Women and Aging, 1-17.
Atoyebi, O. (2016). Grandma, seven grandchildren roam Ibadan streets for food. In Sunday Punch Newspaper, 29 May, 2016, Page 5.
Austad, S. N. (2006). Why women live longer than men: sex differences in longevity. Gender Medicine, 3(2), 79- 92.
Bonnie, R. J. & Wallace, R. B. (2003). Editors: National Academy of Sciences. Elder Mistreatment,
Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in Aging America. Washington DC: National Academy Press.
Okoroafor, C. (2015). Caring for the aged: why are homes for the elderly still “taboo†in Nigeria? October 8, 2015. Ventures Africa
Cathy Shea (2012). Women, aging and mental health. Symposium Lecture at the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry University of Ottawa, Ottawa.
Centre for Mental Helath Ethics, Law and Development (2013). Addressing Mental Health Challenges and Inadequate Services in Nigeria. April 10, 2013
Countries of the world: Maternal Mortality Rates 2019
Dong, X. & Simon, M. A. (2011). Enhancing National Policy and Programmes to address elder abuse. Journal of the American Medical Association, 15(23): 2460-2461
Dong, X. (2013). Elder abuse: Research, practice, and health policy. The 2012 GSA Maxwell Pollack award lecture. The Gerontologist, 54(2), 153-162.
Durojaye, E. (2013). „Woman, but not human‟: widowhood practices and human rights violations in Nigeria.
International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 27(2), 176-196.
Eboiyehi, F. A. (2013). Our lives in your hands; Survival strategies of elderly women heads of households in rural Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3(5): 292-303
Elder, G.H, Johnson, M.K & Crosnoe, R (2003). “The Emergence and Development of Life Course. Theory†In J.T. Mortimer & M.J. Shanahan (Eds) Handbook of the Life Course (pp 3-19) New York, NY, Kluiver Academic/ Plenum Publishers.
AFRICAN JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIAL ISSUES Page | 171
Eze, T. C., Okpala, C. S. &Ogbodo, J. C. (2014). Patterns of Inequality in Human Development Across Nigeria‟s Six Geopolitical Zones. Developing Countries Studies. 4(4), 97-101. ISSN2225-0560 (in-line)
Genyi, G.A & Member, E. (2013). Widowhood & Womanhood: Another Context of Gendered Poverty in Nigeria. Research on Humanities & Social Sciences 3(7), 68-73
Gesinde, A. M., Adekeye, O. A., & Iruonagbe, C. T. (2012). Poverty and old age: The Nigerian situation.
Ginter, E., & Simko, V. (2013). Women live longer than men. Bratislavskelekarskelisty, 114(2), 45-49.
Help Age International (2008). Older People in Africa: A forgotten generation. Available online at:
http://eng.zivot90.cz/uploads/document/205.pdf
HelpAge International (2015). Global Age Watch Index 2015‟, Insight Report. Available online at:http://www.helpage.org/global-agewatch/reports/global-agewatch-index-2015-insight-report-summary-and-methodology/
Lasebikan, V. O., Ejidokun, A., & Coker, O. A. (2012). Prevalence of mental disorders and profile of disablement among primary health care service users in Lagos Island. Epidemiology Research International.1-13
ILO, (2010). 2nd African Decent Work Symposium 2010: Building a Social Protection Floor with the Global Jobs Pact. Yaounde, Cameroon.
Imaobong O. A. & Mfonobong, E. U. (2013). An Assessment of the Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Developing Countries Studies. 3 (5): ISSN 2224-607X. ISSN 225-0565 (online).
Iruloh, B. N & Elsie, W. (2018). Adjustment Strategies Of Widows To widowhood Stress Based On Their Age: The Case Of Rivers State, Nigeria. British Journal of Education, 6(1), 76-91.
John Rowe (2015). Successful Aging of Societies. Dedalus : Journal of American Academy of Arts and
Sciences. Spring: 5-12
Kabeer, N. (2012). Women‟s economic empowerment and inclusive growth: labour markets and enterprise development. International Development Research Centre, 44(10), 1-70.
Kimuna, S. (2005). Living Arrangements and the Conditions of Older People in Zimbabwe. African Population Studies; 20(2): 143-163
Lee Mwitti (2014). The New Facts About African Population will Simply Blow You Away. Mail and Guardian Africa. 13 August, 2014.
Lee, M. (2014). New facts about Nigerian Population will blow your mind. Mail and Guardian, 13 August, 2014.
Liat Ayalon (2015). Reports of Elder Neglect by Older Adults, their Family Caregivers and their Home Care Workers: A Test of Measurement Invariance. Journal of Gerontology. 70B(3): 432-442
Machera, M. Conflicts, violence and older Keyans. In Ferreira M., Apt, N., and Kirambi, A. (Eds). Ageing in Challenging Societies: Africa Preparing for the Next Millennium. London: Brook Green Print.
Madu, I. A. (2010). The structure and pattern of rurality in Nigeria. Geo Journal, 75(2), 175-184.
Mahmood, A. (2014). Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principle. Paper delivered at the 2014 World Environment Day Programme organized by te Federal Ministry of Environment, June 6, 2014.
Makama, G. A. (2013). Patriarchy and gender inequality in Nigeria: the way forward. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 9(17).
Malhotra, S., & Shah, R. (2015). Women and mental health in India: an overview. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(Suppl 2), S205.
Mba, C. J. (2007). Elder Abuse in parts of Africa and the Way Forward. Gerontology Journal, 6(4): 230-235.
McFerson, H. M. (2010). Poverty Among Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Selected Issues.
AFRICAN JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIAL ISSUES Page | 172
Journal of International Women Studies. 11(4): 50-72
McLigeyo, S. O. (2002). Ageing Population in Africa and Other Developing Communities: A Public Health Challenge Calling for Urgent Solutions.
Michael Egboh (2011). Health Sector Reform in Nigeria: Beyond Theory & Rhetoric. 5th Annual.
Mudiare, P. E. U. (2013). Abuse of the Aged in Nigeria: Elders Also Cry. American International Journal of
Contemporary Research, 3(9): 79-87
Natan, M. B., Lowenstein, A. & Eisikovits, Z. (2010). Psycho-social Factors Affecting Elders‟ Maltreatment in Long-term Care Facilities. International Nursing Review, 57, 113–120
National Bureau of Statistics (2016). Community Characteristics from the Nigeria General Household Survey-Panel.
National Population Commission (2006). Nigeria Census vol.3 The Elderly, page 53
National Population Council (2006). Percentage Distribution of Elderly Population by Age (60+), Sex, Marital Status and Residence. National Population Council: Nigeria Census Vol. III, page 30-31
Nigerian Population Census Vol.3. The Elderly, page 11 United Nations (2016 ) World Statistics Pocket Book. Nigeria Country Profile.
Nnadi, I. (2014). Early Marriage: A Gender-Based Violence and A Violation of Women's Human Rights in Nigeria. Journal of Politics and Law, 7, 35.
NPC (1991). Nigeria Census vol.3 The Elderly, page 53
Ohong, J. G., Bassey, A., Okon, B,. & Eze, A. (2012). Integrating Cultural Values in Designing Institutional Care for the Elderly in Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences and Public Policy. 4: 60-69.
Ola, T.M. & Olalekan, A. (2012). Socio-Demographic Correlates of Elderly Abuse in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(20):299-306. Special Issue, October.
Olaogun, J. A., Adebayo, A. A., & Oluyemo, C. A. (2015). Gender imbalance in the academia in Nigeria.
European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 11(10).
Olaore, A. Y., & Drolet, J. (2017). Indigenous Knowledge, Beliefs, and Cultural Practices for Children and Families in Nigeria. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 26(3), 254-270.
Oloyede, O. (2015). Monitoring participation of women in politics in Nigeria. National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Abuja, Nigeria, unstats. un. org/unsd/gender/Finland_Oct2016/Documents/Nigeria_paper. pdf.
Percentage Distribution of Elderly Population by Age (60+), Sex, Marital Status and Residence. National Population Council: Nigeria Census Vol. III, page 30-31
Pillemer, K. B., Riff, C. & Lachs M. S. (2016). Elder Abuse: Global Situation Risk Factors and Prevention
Strategies. Gerontologist. 56(52): 5194-5205
Post, L., Page, C., Conner, T., Prokhorov, A., Fang, Y., & Biroscak, B. J. (2010). Elder Abuse in Long-Term Care:Types, Patterns, and Risk Factors, Research on Aging, 32(3), 323–348
Punch Newspaper (2016). Grandma, seven grandchildren roam Ibadan streets for food. Available at :
https://punchng.com/grandma-seven-grandchildren-roam-ibadan-streets-food/ accessed on 12th
December, 2018.
Shakya, H. B., Usita, P. M., Eisenberg, C., Weston, J., & Liles, S. (2012). Family well-being concerns of grandparents in skipped generation families. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(1), 39-54.
Stallion, J.M. (1984). Women and Widowhood: The Suffering beyond grief. In J.O. Freeman (ed) Women: A Feminist Perspective. Mayfield Publishing Company, California.
Suleiman, D. E. (2016). Mental health disorders in Nigeria: A highly neglected disease. Annals of Nigerian Medicine, 10(2), 47.
The Nation, (2015). Travails of Elderly Women Raped by Younger Men. Published May 9.
AFRICAN JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIAL ISSUES Page | 173
Togonu-Bickersteth, F. (2014). Ageing is not an emergency: Preparing for the new realities of ageing in Nigeria. Inaugural lectures series, 226, 123.
Togonu-Bickersteth, F., Akinnawo, E. O., Akinyele, O. S., & Ayeni, E. (1997). Public alms solicitation among the Yoruba elderly in Nigeria. Southern African Journal of Gerontology, 6(2), 26-31.
Togonu-Bickersteth, F., & Akinyemi, A. I. (2014). Ageing and national development in Nigeria: Costly assumptions and challenges for the future. African Population Studies, 27(2), 361-371.
Trivedi, J. K., Sareen, H., & Dhyani, M. (2009). Psychological aspects of widowhood and divorce. Menssana Monographs, 7(1), 37.
UNICEF (2017). A Familiar Face: Violence in the lives of children and adolescents. New York, NY: UNICEF.
United Nations. Dept. of International Economic. (1985). World population prospects. United Nations.
United Nations (2013). World Population Aging. New York: UN department of Economic and Social Affairs/ Population Division.
United Nations (2015). The World’s Women: Trends and Statistics. Available at: https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/downloads/worldswomen2015_report.pdf, Accessed on 20 February, 2019.
United Nations (2015). World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision: Key Findings and Advance Table. Available at: https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/key_findings_wpp_2015.pdf. Accessed on 20 February, 2019.
United Nations (2017). World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision: Key Findings and Advance Table. Available at: https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/key_findings_wpp_2017.pdf. Accessed on 20 February, 2019.
United Nations (2017). Living Arrangement of Older Persons around the World. New York: UN department of Economic and Social Affairs/ Population Division.
Uzobo, E., & Dawodu, O. A. (2015). Ageing and health: A comparative study of rural and urban aged health status in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 11(14).
Van Dullemen, Caroline. (2006). Older People in Africa: New Engines to Society? NWSA Journal. 18. 99-105. 0.1353/nwsa.2006.0008.
Vanguard Newspaper (2018). Global worry over Nigeria‟s low rating in maternal health. Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/global-worry-nigerias-low-rating-maternal-health/ Accessed on 12th December, 2018.
WHO (1998). Gender Disparity in Mental Health. Available at:
https://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/242.pdf. Accessed on 12 September, 2018.
WHO (2005). Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43314/9241563001_eng.pdf;jsessionid=353166F85B63692 9D52237A8B9195100?sequence=1. Accessed on 13 December, 2018.
WHO (2007). Women, Aging and Health: A framework for Action. Geneva: WHO
WHO (2008). A Global Response to Elder Abuse and Neglect: Geneva: WHO
WHO (2010). Maternal mortality for Nigeria. Available at:
https://www.who.int/gho/maternal_health/countries/nga.pdf?ua=1. Accessed on 17 September,
WHO (2010). Trends in maternal mortality: 1990-2008. Estimates developed by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA &
the World Bank. Geneva: WHO
WHO (2014). International Plan of Action in Ageing: Report on implementation; Report by the secretariat.
WHO: Geneva
WHO (2015). Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2015: estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World
AFRICAN JOURNAL FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIAL ISSUES Page | 174
Bank Group and the United. Nations Population Division, Geneva.
World Poverty Clock (2018). The percentage of Nigerians living in extreme poverty could increase by 2030.
Available at: https://worldpoverty.io/blog/index.php?r=12. Accessed on 12th December, 2018.
Zimmer, Z., & Dayton, J. (2005). Older adults in sub-Saharan Africa living with children and grandchildren.
Population Studies, 59(3), 295-312.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright is owned by the journal.
