Kerala is currently undergoing a demographic transformation, outpacing every other region in India as it moves toward becoming a predominantly aged society. This transition is the direct result of the state’s long-standing achievements in social development, characterized by declining fertility rates and a steady rise in life expectancy. Today, nearly one-fifth of the population has crossed the age of sixty, a figure expected to reach one-fourth in the near future. While this shift is a testament to successful public health interventions, it has transformed ageing into a critical issue of human security. It is a challenge involving dignity, physical accessibility, inclusive care, and the fundamental right to live independently with social support.
These issues were the focus of a workshop titled “Ageing, Gender and Human Security in Kerala,” organized by the Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University, at the Municipal Town Hall in Pathanamthitta on 22 January. The workshop served as a bridge between policymakers, academics, and frontline workers to address the widening gap between state policy and the lived realities of the elderly, particularly women.
Kerala’s demographic profile presents a unique paradox. Despite high literacy and strong health indicators, new vulnerabilities have emerged as family sizes shrink and younger generations migrate abroad. This has led to the ‘feminization of aging,’ a reality most plainly observed in Pathanamthitta, the district with the highest concentration of elders. Elderly women often face compounded disadvantages, living as widows without independent income and relying heavily on informal networks or state aid. Smt. Mini Sukumar, Member of the Kerala State Planning Board, observed during the deliberations that while seniors constitute a massive share of the population, public institutions and social spaces remain largely inaccessible to them. She argued that longevity should be celebrated as a collective social achievement rather than a burden, yet warned that without urgent structural and governance adaptations, this achievement could evolve into a social crisis.
A part of the discussion centred on the rapid growth of care homes, which has occurred in a regulatory vacuum. As traditional joint family systems dissolve, institutional care has become a necessity for many, but the absence of a strict monitoring framework leaves residents vulnerable to neglect or exploitation. Smt. Mini Sukumar stressed the urgency of developing clear legal safeguards and inspection protocols to ensure these homes do not become sites of institutionalized neglect. This need for accountability was balanced by perspectives from the grassroots, such as those shared by Sri. Madan Mohan, CEO of the Kerala Grama Panchayat Association. He championed a shift away from top-down models toward community-led initiatives like the ‘Vengara model,’ where local collectives provide peer support and engagement under the watchful eye of local self-government institutions. He maintained that for policies to be effective, they must be lived realities at the panchayat level rather than dormant office files.
The workshop also provided a rare platform for frontline voices to share the emotional and practical toll of elder care. District Social Welfare Officer Ms. Shamla Begum, ICDS District Officer Ms. Asha Devi, and various health professionals and care managers spoke candidly about the hurdles they face, including rigid audit procedures that stifle simple recreational activities for seniors. They highlighted the profound need for mental health support, which remains one of the most neglected aspects of aging. At the same time, there was widespread acknowledgement of the success of government schemes like Vayomithram, Aaswasakiranam, and Vathilpadi Sevanam, which provide essential medical and psychological lifelines to those living in poverty or isolation.
One of the most promising avenues mentioned was the “Sayamprabha Home” project, a Social Justice Department initiative that creates inclusive day-care spaces to combat the “invisible” problem of loneliness. These centres allow for social interaction, yoga, and counselling, providing a sanctuary for those who would otherwise spend their days in isolation. With seventy such centres identified in the pilot phase, participants urged for expanded staffing and funding to scale the model statewide.
Ultimately, the workshop made it clear that Kerala requires a comprehensive, rights-based approach to ageing that integrates gender sensitivity, infrastructure reform, and community participation. Supported by the Government of Kerala’s Plan Fund, the workshop concluded with a commitment to change the state’s approach through three core priorities – ensuring the security of elderly women, strengthening local-level accountability, and establishing a rigorous regulatory mechanism for care institutions.
The sessions saw expert insights from Dr. Prasad Gopal, Co-Founder of Prajna; Mr. Ommen Roy Varghese, social activist and former AGM of Federal Bank; Mrs. Sosamma Jacob, Director of Gilgal; as well as Dr. Shyla Abraham and Dr. Rigi Idiculla. The event was welcomed by Dr. K.M. Seethi, Director of IUCSSRE, and coordinated by a team including Mrs. Elizebeth Abraham, Mr. Sabu Thomas, Ms. Neena NM, Mr. Jubin Jacob, Mr. M Thalhath, Mr. Sudheep MS, and Mr. Beetu Sebastian.