Skip the page content navigation if you do not require links to content sections within this page.

Page Content Navigation

Page starts here:

Main Content: Rights

Shiduki, 71, Tanzania

Older women are being denied the right to inherit property and face violence, intimidation and even death as a result of accusations of witchcraft.

 

After her husband died, Shiduki was forced out of her home and accused of witchcraft. HelpAge’s partner built her a new home and worked with the local community to change attitudes towards older women.

Read Shiduki’s story

HelpAge International

Equal rights for older people

Older people have the same rights as everyone else. Their rights are protected under international law. But they are denied access to healthcare, social security, education and legal support. They are discriminated against at work, are prevented from inheriting property and experience violence and abuse.

Read more about older people's rights

Agenda for action

Strategies that recognise and support the intergenerational contract in poor households and communities, and the rights of all people of all ages, are key to effective development policies and programmes.

Read HelpAge International's agenda for action

Research

There is a lack of information available on the violation of older people's rights.

At HelpAge, we seek to identify rights abuses and break down the barriers older people face in accessing their rights and entitlements.  

Read about our current and planned research work

Page Last Modified: 10/06/2009


Age Demands Action!

Older people have a right to be included in international development policy and practice.

Sign our Age Demands Action petition now!

eNewsletter

Stay informed - enter your email address to sign up

Older women's rights

Men and women experience ageing differently. Both face age discrimination but for older women this can be exacerbated by a lifetime of gender-based discrimination.

Read more

Facts and figures

The Tanzanian Government says that 17,220 women were abused between 1998-2001, as a result of witchcraft allegations. 10% of these women were killed. Read more

Page Extras:

Following items are static unchanging components on the site, such as page banner and copyright information.

Contact us | Order publications | Site map | Español

Page Banner (skip this section)

End of page. Return to page content navigation