Blog written by Margaret Daly, SI Communications Manager

Globally, the population of individuals aged 60 and older is projected to increase significantly, from 771 million (10 per cent) in 2022 to 1.5 billion (16 per cent) by 2050. As a result, the prevalence of elder abuse is also expected to rise. 

According to the United Nations, the fastest growth in both the number and proportion of older adults will occur in developing countries, particularly in Latin America and Africa. 

This virtual parallel event at CSW69 explored the intersection of poverty and violence among older Indigenous women. The discussion highlighted both challenges and extraordinary displays of resilience, emphasising the need for stronger human rights protections. Panelists examined barriers to achieving the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action goals, particularly in eliminating poverty and violence for women of all ages. 

The conversation was framed through the lens of economic insecurity, broader societal issues, and the responsibilities of older women in caring for children. The event also underscored the urgent need for governmental protections and presented potential solutions. 

Violence Against Older Women and Structural Inequality 

Independent expert, Claudia Mahler emphasised that violence against older women often goes unreported due to shame, social stigma, and invisibility in official data. Indigenous older women, in particular, face additional barriers due to low literacy levels, lack of access to legal and support services, systemic neglect and lack of access to online information in rural areas. 

She noted that: 

• Power dynamics within families and communities often leave older women without support. 

• Many lack land rights, are abandoned, or are unable to access social protections. 

• No official statistics exist on violence against Indigenous older women, making it difficult to address the issue effectively. 

• Older women’s voices must be included in policymaking, ensuring that their experiences are visible in data collection and human rights frameworks. 

Elder Abuse and Its Cultural Context – Alaska 

Dr. Jordan P. Lewis, Director of Research, College of Indigenous Studies, University of Alaska, Fairbanks spoke next. Dr Lewis is of Alaskan Indigenous heritage on mother’s side, from Aleut, Sugpiag, Naknek native village in Alaska.  

Dr. Jordan P. Lewis shared insights on elder abuse in Indigenous communities, particularly among Alaska Native and American Indian (AIAN) populations. He described elder abuse as a cultural paradox, given the traditional reverence for elders. However, poverty, substance abuse, and economic pressures have contributed to high rates of neglect, financial exploitation, physical and emotional abuse. 

Conversely, 80 per cent of AIAN culture is contained within language and elders play a critical role in imparting oral traditions. However, abuse and neglect of elders, despite the culture’s attitude towards respecting elders, can impact this transmission of spiritual practices and knowledge of traditions to the younger generation.  

Key statistics: 

• 90 per cent of elder abuse cases are committed by family members. 

• Elders who experience abuse are 200 per cent more likely to die prematurely than those who are not mistreated. 

• Many cases go unreported due to feelings of shame, lack of data collection structures, and limited access to justice systems. 

• Spiritual abuse is particularly common, where elders are prevented from practicing their traditions or participating in ceremonial and religious gatherings. According to the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative (NIEJI) approximately 21.8 per cent of AIAN elders are never taken to ceremonies. 

 

Dr. Lewis recommended: 

• Comprehensive assessments of elder abuse in Indigenous communities. 

• Strengthening legal protections and social services for older persons. 

• Implementing Elder Protection Teams, Family Restoration Programmes, and Operation Golden Shield as community-driven solutions. 

• Having more conversations about sensitive topics. 

 

The Role of Grandmothers in South Africa: Resilience Amidst Hardship 

Jane Simmonds and Nkanyiso Khumalo from goGOGOgo provided insights into the challenges and contributions of grandmothers (“gogos”) in South Africa. 

goGOGOgo is a South African nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering grandmothers who serve as primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Many of these elderly women are raising children abandoned due to poverty or left in their care because parents have migrated for work. 

The organisation provides resources, financial support, skills development, and advocacy to improve the lives of these grandmothers and the children they care for.  

Some of its key initiatives include: 

• Workshops & Training – Teaching gogos about financial literacy, health, digital skills, and caregiving techniques. 

• Income-Generating Projects – Helping grandmothers start small businesses, such as sewing bags or making crafts. 

• Health & Well-Being Programmes – Providing access to healthcare, mental health support, and physical activities like boxing classes. 

• Sexual Health Education (SexTalk4GOGOs) – Creating a safe space for older women to discuss HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and how to educate their grandchildren on these topics. 

• Advocacy & Policy Reform – Promoting legislation that benefits elderly caregivers and improves their access to social grants and support services. 

goGOGOgo focuses on empowering grandmothers as agents of change in their communities, recognising their resilience and the essential role they play in preserving family structures and cultural traditions. 

Grandmothers as primary caregivers 

Despite improvements in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, South Africa’s social and economic issues continue to make grandmothers essential caregivers. 

 Reasons include: 

• Orphaned Children – While treatments have vastly improved the rate of HIV-related deaths, many children remain orphaned due to past epidemics, tuberculosis, Covid-19, and violence. 

• Unemployment and Economic Hardship – High unemployment forces parents to migrate for work, leaving children in the care of grandparents. Some parents cannot afford childcare, making gogos the best option. 

• Teen Pregnancy – South Africa has high teenage pregnancy rates, and many young mothers cannot support their children, relying on grandmothers instead. 

• Substance Abuse and Family Breakdown – Alcoholism, drug addiction, and domestic violence leave many parents unable to care for their children. Some children are abandoned or placed with their grandparents due to unstable home environments. 

• Cultural and Social Norms – In many African cultures, extended families are expected to care for children, making gogos natural caregivers. 

 

Challenges faced by gogos 

While they provide stability and love, grandmothers struggle with financial difficulties, health issues, and lack of support. Social grants and NGOs offer some relief, but challenges remain. One major challenge is intergenerational living, driven by poverty and high unemployment. This forces grandparents, parents, and children to share a home, often creating strain for the elderly, who face a lack of privacy, caregiving responsibilities, and the stress of an overcrowded living environment. 

Key statistics: 

• 6.7 million grandparents live with 9.76 million children in South Africa. 

• 69.3 per cent of caregiving grandparents are women. 

• Nearly 40 per cent of grandparent-led households have no employed members. 

• More than half of these households rely primarily on government grants as their main income source. 

Call to Action: Policy and Systemic Change 

Despite their resilience, older women continue to face violence, poverty, and systemic neglect. The event underscored the urgent need for policies that protect and uplift older women in caregiving roles. 

Key recommendations include: 

• Strengthening legal protections against elder abuse, particularly for Indigenous and marginalised older women. 

• Ensuring comprehensive, community-based services that support older caregivers. 

• Improving financial independence for grandmothers through income-generation programmes. 

• Enhancing elder representation in data collection, policymaking, and advocacy efforts. 

 

Women as rocks – the power of resilience 

Mr. Khumalo, who is of Zulu heritage told us of the Zulu proverb “Wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbokodo” which translates to “You strike a woman, you strike a rock.” He explained that this proverb speaks of the strength, resilience, and unbreakable spirit of women, particularly in the face of hardship and oppression. 

Conclusion  

The presentations by Dr. Lewis and goGOGOgo highlighted the dual reality of vulnerability and resilience among older women. While they face poverty, abuse, and exploitation, they play a critical role in preserving Indigenous cultures, raising children, and sustaining communities. Governments and organisations must prioritise legislative reforms, economic empowerment, and community-driven solutions to support them. 

The future well-being of older women is crucial, not just for their own dignity but for the survival of entire family structures and cultural traditions.