GENDER INEQUALITY AND HEALTH: A STUDY OF ELDERLY IN ALIGARH CITY

Abstract

Women are more susceptible to unjust treatment, discrimination, and denial of fundamental human rights such as survival, education, health, inheritance, etc. due to social factors such as male domination and their subordinate status. Women experience two distinct disadvantages in the aging population due to gender-based roles and stereotypes. As a result, they are treated poorly in society. While aging is unavoidable, its gendered inequalities are not. Gender greatly impacts both mens and womens health in India. This in turn affects a persons susceptibility to illness and likelihood of experiencing health problems. The present study is both primary and secondary in nature. This paper tried to analyse the social and health issues faced by the elderly and examine gender-based inequalities in healthcare among the elderly in a selected area of Aligarh City in India and suggest ways to promote gender equality among the elderly by challenging the established pattern of inequality in health. KEYWORDS: Elderly, Gender, Health, Aging