Effects of Ageism on the Welfare of Elderly People among the
Refugees in Rwanda
By
UMI PASCAL
A Concept paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the admission of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public
Administration of Kabale University
April, 2023
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1.0 Introduction of the study
Rwanda has a long history of accommodating refugees, dating back to the 1960s when it hosted
large numbers of refugees from neighboring countries such as Burundi, and the Democratic
Republic of Congo. International migrants in Rwanda increased steadily from 1990 (160,000)
to 2015 (514,600), and then plateaued from 2015 to mid-2020 at 513,900 individuals,
constituting approximately 4% of the Rwandan population. Today, Rwanda is home to over
800,000 refugees, the majority of whom come from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of
Congo, and Burundi.
The Rwandan government has implemented progressive policies towards refugees, including
the Settlement Transformation Agenda which aims to provide refugees with land for
agriculture, access to social services, and opportunities for self-reliance. The country also
operates an open-door policy towards refugees, which means that they are allowed to move
freely, access education and healthcare, and work in the formal sector.
Despite these policies, elderly refugees in Rwanda face unique challenges that can impact their
welfare. Ageism, or discrimination based on age, is a common experience for many elderly
refugees, which can manifest in various forms such as denial of access to health care, education,
and job opportunities. The impact of ageism on the welfare of elderly refugees in Rwanda is
an area that requires further exploration and understanding, which this study seeks to address.
2.0 Problem statement
The elderly population among refugees in Rwanda faces multiple challenges, including limited
access to basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Additionally, they are also
vulnerable to ageism, which may negatively affect their well-being. Ageism is the
discrimination, stereotyping, or mistreatment of individuals based on their age. Despite the
negative impact of ageism on the well-being of elderly refugees, there is a lack of understanding
of the prevalence, causes, and effects of ageism in this population. Therefore, this study aims
to investigate the effects of ageism on the welfare of elderly people among refugees in Rwanda,
and to identify strategies to address ageism and promote the well-being of this vulnerable
population.
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3.0 Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ageism on the welfare of elderly people
among refugees in Rwanda.
4.0 Objectives of the Study
This study will be guided by the following objectives
i. Identify the prevalence and causes of ageism among elderly refugees in Rwanda.
ii. Examine the effects of ageism on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of
elderly refugees.
iii. Explore the experiences and perspectives of elderly refugees on ageism and its effects on
their well-being.
iv. Identify strategies to address ageism and promote the well-being of elderly refugees in
Rwanda.
6.0 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study will focus on the effects of ageism on the welfare of elderly people
among refugees in Rwanda. The study will be conducted in refugee settlements located in
Mahama refugees’ camp. The study will target elderly refugees aged 60 years and above,
including those living in their own homes, with family members, or in community centers.
The study will investigate the prevalence, causes, and effects of ageism on the physical,
psychological, and social well-being of elderly refugees. The study will also explore the
experiences and perspectives of elderly refugees on ageism and identify potential strategies to
address this issue and improve the well-being of this vulnerable population.
7.0 Justification
There is a need for research that examines the specific experiences of elderly refugees who
face ageism in Rwanda, and the ways in which these experiences impact their daily lives. This
research could include qualitative studies that explore the experiences of elderly refugees and
the ways in which ageism impacts their lives, as well as quantitative studies that measure the
prevalence of ageism and its effects on health outcomes, social isolation, and economic well-
being.
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Additionally, there is a need for research that examines the effectiveness of interventions aimed
at addressing ageism and promoting the well-being of elderly refugees in Rwanda.
8.0 Research Design
The research design for studying the effects of ageism on the welfare of elderly people among
the refugees in Rwanda could involve a cross-sectional study, which involves collecting data
at a single point in time. The study could employ a mixed-methods design, which includes both
quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
The quantitative data collection method could involve a structured questionnaire with closed-
ended questions, which will allow for the collection of demographic information and other
quantitative data related to the effects of ageism on the welfare of elderly refugees. The
questionnaire will be administered to a representative sample of elderly refugees living in
selected refugee camps in Rwanda.
The qualitative data collection method could involve in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of
participants to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences related to ageism and their
welfare. The interviews will be conducted in the local language to facilitate communication,
and will be audio-recorded with the consent of participants. The interviews will explore
participants' experiences related to ageism, including their perceptions of discrimination and
exclusion, their access to healthcare and social services, and their overall well-being.
The data collected through the structured questionnaire will be analyzed using descriptive
statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, to identify patterns and relationships between
variables. The data collected through in-depth interviews will be analyzed using thematic
analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns in participants' experiences related to ageism
and their welfare.
The research design will consider ethical considerations, such as obtaining informed consent
from participants, protecting their confidentiality and privacy, and obtaining approval from
relevant ethical review boards. The study will also consider limitations, such as the potential
for response bias and the limited generalizability of findings beyond the selected refugee camps
in Rwanda.
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