Elderly women's rights in ordinary and communal elderly homes in Uganda : a comparative study of Mukono and Mbarara Districts

Abstract

This study provides insight into the protection and provision of elderly women's rights in ordinarily homes and communal elderly homes. The objective of the study is to contribute to the broadening of the protection and provision of the elderly women's rights. The study shows how elderly women's rights are violated yet their rights are codified in lnternatlonal instruments that Uganda ratified with a full Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development responsible for their rights, protection and provision. Ultimately this shows how the implementation is very different from signing and ratifying if the society does not knowwhat to do. On the other hand, considering the effort put in to protect the rights of children is as a result of their international convention and therefore a need to make a binding international convention on elderly rights. The study areas have been Nkokonjeru and Nyakayojo sub-counties in Mukono and Mbarara respectively. Interview schedule were conducted to a total of 60 elderly women and 40 other respondents. In depth interviews were conducted consisting of government representatives, elderly communal home administrators. In-depth interviews were conducted consisting 4 and 8 elderly women from Mukono and Mbarara districts. The findings of the study show that, although the rights of the elderly women are better protected in elderly communal homes, elderly women prefer to stay with their family members whereas family members want them taken to elderly common homes. Working towards the provision of outreach services would be of benefit to elderly women as the government and civil society try to put in place ways and means of understanding ageing issues and sensitization so that better policies are put in place.