On the occasion of the celebration once again, on November 25, of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, I believe it is necessary to reflect on the victims of gender violence over 65 years of age; women – in many cases of advanced age – who, both due to generational prejudices and social ageism, become victims of a very vulnerable situation.
Some relevant information: 23% of women over 65 years of age have been victims of this violence throughout his life. In most cases, these situations are unknown to their environment, and many times these women are even more vulnerable than the youngest ones. These are victims who suffer abuse for a long timein many cases with stories of more than 40 years. They are victims who have a more deteriorated state of health than other women of their age and a greater degree of social, and even family, isolation.
The violence in these cases becomes chronic and goes from physical and psychological violence to economic control in the stage of old age. They are women survivors of the patriarchal culture of silenceresignation and surrender of a lifetime of submission and contempt, lack of freedom and recognition of personal worth.
The number of murdered older women grows every year. Above all, in the over 80 years old, dependent and in rural areas. Initiatives must therefore be aimed at improving the quality of life of these women from a comprehensive approach: health care, social support, specific resources and awareness campaigns.
Measures aimed at preventing, accompanying and protecting are required: listening to them and knowing their specific needs is a historic debt that society in general and public gender policies in particular have with them.
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