Thoughts and practices of urban actors on the feminization of ageing in the context of active ageing: The case of Afyonkarahisar

The increase in the elderly population is transforming social, economic, and cultural structures and shaping the life experiences of older individuals. In this process, women experience multidimensional disadvantages socially, economically, and environmentally due to the structural inequalities they encounter throughout their lives. In this context, the active ageing approach offers a holistic model that supports the empowerment of older individuals in the areas of health, safety, participation, and lifelong learning, enabling them to become more effectively involved in urban life. This research, conducted in the city centre of Afyonkarahisar, examined the feminization of ageing in the context of active ageing from the perspective of urban actors and analysed the perceptions of institutions regarding the concepts of active ageing and their practices related to these concepts. Within this framework, the research has revealed the social, economic, environmental, and institutional factors affecting the active ageing processes of older women in the city, the obstacles they encounter, and the support mechanisms they benefit from, using qualitative research methods. Participants were selected from among urban actors who could answer the research questions using a purposive sampling technique within the scope of criterion sampling. In this regard, the basic criteria were working in relevant institutions, taking responsibility for services for older people, and having experience in local policy processes. The data collection process was supported by individual and focus group interviews, as well as the examination of national strategy documents, official reports, accessible local documents, and archival records. The interview data were analysed using MAXQDA, a qualitative analysis programme. Thematic analysis, a flexible research technique that systematically identifies, classifies, and interprets patterns of meaning (themes) in qualitative data, was employed in this study. The analysis results show that perceptions and practices regarding concepts contain differences within both common and institution-specific themes. Furthermore, it was found that the capacity of institutions to meet local needs in service delivery is limited and that awareness, service diversity, and gender-sensitive active ageing approaches for older women are not sufficiently developed. These findings reveal the fundamental barriers and supportive mechanisms affecting the active ageing processes of older women in the city of Afyonkarahisar. Furthermore, the study highlights the areas of need for socially inclusive, elderly-friendly, and gender-sensitive policies that will strengthen the effective participation of older women in city life.