Older women continue to face discrimination as well as negative stereotypes due to existing social inequalities, the gender commission says.
The National Gender and Equality Commission chairperson Dr Joyce Mutinda said this is despite Kenya having an elaborate legislative and policy framework that protects and promotes their rights including before, during and after adversities.
She spoke during the marking of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on Saturday.
Mutinda said despite increasing investments in programmes for older persons, there is concern over systematic violation of the rights of older persons.
This, she says, specifically applies to those with disabilities, those living in hard-to-reach areas and-informal settlements and those from marginalised communities.
The chairperson said older persons are killed or exiled over witchcraft claims, denied food and financial support, while others are denied access to health services, face disinheritance and fraudulent loss of property.
Also, forceful disclosure of personal information and sexual exploitation and abuse for older women.
She said the state and family hold the greatest responsibility of protecting older persons from any harm and have the duty to promote their rights.
Mutinda further said disasters and emergencies are key drivers of social and economic stress.
She called upon state and non-state actors to enhance the resilience of older persons including women and protect them from devastating impact of ravaging drought in 13 counties across the country.
“These actors are encouraged to continuously collect age disaggregated data, to accurately measure the impact of drought on older persons and to inform future drought recovery mechanisms,” Mutinda said.
The chairperson said the commission further recommends that all actors ensure issues of older women are more visible, planned for and budgeted for.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
