Gender dynamics of elderly welfare and semi-formal protection in Cameroon (NW and SW provinces)

Amidst the complexity of social security provision for the elderly in Cameroon, this gender-focused research engages with individual and collective agency by the elderly in fashioning support schemes in rural and urban areas. This challenges predominant development thinking that perceive the elderly as a burden and drain on the state, household and community. Drawing on social capital theory and economics of resource mobilization in poverty reduction, the role of informal institutions in elderly welfare support is assessed.

Based on in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group discussion in selected study sites in Cameroon, a needs assessment portfolio in evaluating daily needs (care, food, clothing, medication, firewood, water, assistance with farm work, remittances) was employed. Interviewees were also controlled for varying access to pensions, housing, residential patterns, forms of care available, livelihood strategies, household sizes, traditional support schemes, micro-insurance schemes, and benefits of social networking.

The results are presented qualitatively showing significant demographic, socioeconomic variables and analysed through a typology of recurrent themes. A mixed picture of the elderly as key pillars in securing livelihoods, engineering community development initiatives, while others are in hardship requiring support is evident. The traditional forms of support are fragmenting and the elderly are walking the tight rope through a gamut of informal sector activities. Children, grand children and hired helpers are also playing a greater role in assisting the elderly. Drawing from accounts and scenarios, old men and women are affected unevenly due to differing coping mechanisms, adjustment patterns and inequalities in levels of support. Those in rural areas seem to be coping better than their counterparts in urban areas as a result of greater access to land, other accrued assets and still strong community relations. What stands out is the hard fact that njangis, mutual societies, faith-based organizations and village development associations, referred to in the research as semi-formal (at the interface of formal and informal care), are struggling to fill the gaps. These networks can barely provide psychological support, particularly funeral arrangements. Reversing the decline in elderly welfare hinges on partnerships mediated through the voluntary sector.