Older women's experiences in the labour-market in rural Uttar Pradesh

This research work investigates the important concerns of 168 elderly women, age varying from 60 years and above, who were contributing to the labour market (139 were working in the agricultural sector and 29 were working in the rural non-farm sector) and to determine their health status. Data was collected from two sources: by survey method and from the secondary sources (National Sample Survey Organisation 71st Round (2014), and Census of India (1961–2011, to capture the causalities which can enforce older women to contribute to the labour market. Statistically, bivariate and binary logistic regression models were employed as methods of analyses. The results demonstrated that out-migration of young adults, unavailability of caregivers, poverty, and decline of the traditional support system were major ingredients that forced elderly women to participate in the farm and rural-nonfarm sectors. These findings were further explored that absence of spousal support, institutional benefits and residential care were reported as the key obstacles and which requires policy comprehensions to reduce gender-based disparities in both institutional and residential spheres.