SILENT SUFFERING IN THE HOME: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON DOMESTIC HARASSMENT AND NEGLECT OF ELDERLY WOMEN IN THE AMBALA REGION

Abstract

Domestic harassment and neglect of elderly women remain largely unacknowledged within the private sphere of the family, despite the growing ageing population and the existence of statutory protections in India. This research paper adopts a mixed methodological approach, combining empirical and non-empirical methods, to examine the nature, causes, and legal dimensions of domestic harassment and neglect faced by elderly women in the Ambala region of Haryana. The empirical component of the study is based on primary data collected through structured questionnaires with elderly women, enabling an assessment of lived experiences, patterns of abuse, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The non-empirical component involves doctrinal analysis of statutory provisions, judicial interpretations, policy documents, and scholarly literature, with particular emphasis on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. By integrating empirical findings with legal analysis, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the existing legal framework in addressing elder abuse and ensuring maintenance and welfare of elderly women. The research highlights the disconnect between legislative intent and practical implementation, while emphasizing the need for strengthened enforcement mechanisms, enhanced legal awareness, and gender-sensitive policy interventions. The paper contributes to elder law scholarship by providing an interdisciplinary perspective that situates domestic harassment of elderly women within both social realities and legal structures.