NGUGI: Does ageism mean elderly people’s rights are no longer human rights?

October 1 is the International Day for the Elderly. The day highlights the marginalisation of the elderly and, through campaigns and advocacy, calls for states to create societies where all people — old and young — are accorded the same rights. Contrary to popular belief, older persons suffer humiliation, abuse, neglect and even geronticide.

The world over, the killing of older persons happens in their houses, geriatric hospitals and old people’s homes. It is telling of our attitude towards the elderly, and especially elderly women, that when the young Raskolnikov in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment decides he has a right to kill a ‘‘useless’’ human being, he chooses to kill an elderly woman.