How far are the rights and dignity of older people in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the South Asian Region. As per the population census of 2022, people aged 60 years and above are considered senior citizens and their number is 9.28% of the total population (more than 2.5 crore) of the country. Likewise, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has predicted that the older people will cover 10.09% in 2025, while the number is expected to increase enormously by around 17% in 2050. Despite rapidly increasing numbers of the older population, development protection of their rights and well-being is less visible in Bangladesh.

Older people need inclusive attention and care equally like any other segment of the population. Like different regions of the world, many Asian countries have already started to pay attention to developing elderly support programs and legal frameworks. Bangladesh is far behind many Asian countries in ensuring proper protection and minimum social security services for senior citizens. At present, the traditional joint family structures have broken down and familial support to older people has been reduced drastically. Due to the absence of proper protective mechanisms, millions of older people are living a miserable life within and outside the family. Moreover, community home-based care and residential care facilities have not developed yet in the country. Rather, the concept of old homes, caregivers and rehabilitation centers is getting popular as well. Accordingly, there is no regulatory framework or monitoring authority specifically for old homes and centers. Traditionally it is not much appreciated by the society because of the prevailing social, cultural, and religious norms of the country.

Bangladesh has a long history of maintaining cultural heritage and family traditions. The majority of the people live in rural areas engaging themselves in agricultural activities and continuing their family heritage. In the last one and a half decades, the people of Bangladesh have shifted their focus from agriculture to industrialization. Such mind shift is the result of globalization, the influence of Western culture, modification in socio-economic condition, and change in life style and living pattern. Due to shifting focus towards industrialization from agriculture, people's lifestyle, culture, family ties and social structure have also changed. With growing literacy rate people are now relocating at urban areas and cities to support their livelihood. Such demographic shift of family members is influencing family structure in a great deal. As a result, joint family system has already lost its importance as well as social fabric has also changed.

Indeed, different types of changes took place in the society that has made the issue of older care and rights more complicated. Therefore, many elderly members are seen to reside alone with no one to look after them. Senior citizens as an integral part of society are now slowly losing their values both in families and in societies.5 According to the Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAIGM), 8% of the country's total population are senior citizens which is increasing tremendously. These statistics clearly show the future demand of old homes, caregiver centers and rehabilitation centers across the country. Hence, the rising elderly population is intensifying this need but the country is not prepared to offer any types of alternative options on how to deal with their needs. Moreover, there is no implementation of the laws and policies to address the issues of housing, health care, and financial and social protection of senior citizens.

It is seen that senior citizens are often neglected in their families, society and there is no legal framework regarding their wellbeing in Bangladesh. Negligence from family and relatives, encountering various forms of diseases and financial crises are the main challenges met by elderly people. In Bangladesh most of the older people live in rural areas and they are often ignored by their near and dear ones beyond the notice of public eyes. Accordingly, vulnerability of the older people in terms of food consumption, shelter, community and social attitude is increasing in present social context. As a result, actual demand for old homes, caregivers and rehabilitation centers are much higher than the documented demand. Indeed, to ensure minimum dignity, care, respect, and treatment for older people, the concept of setting up the adequate number of old homes and rehabilitation centers has become a burning issue. Despite steps being taken by the government, radical steps are necessary.

Thus, the issues of old homes remain insignificant in national plans and policies which deteriorate their situation. Though the National Policy on Older Persons was framed in 2013 but it has not been implemented due to the lack of sincere efforts by the authorities concerned. Likewise, the Parents' Maintenance Act, 2013 is not getting implemented for the absence of its rules and awareness among people. Unfortunately, there is no law to safeguard the senior citizens. Further, hospitals, community clinics and old homes often ignore geriatric problems as there are no specific elderly health policy and monitoring system.25 In the near future, the issue of senior citizens will be a vital challenge for the government as the numbers of older people are increasing without appropriate steps to ensure their rights, dignity and services in the country. However, for ensuring their rights and welfare in all aspects of their life, there is no particular department in the country which can investigate the violation of human rights of older people.

Hence, elderly individual suffers extremely in their age and in this situation, they have to bear later life is necessary expenses. There are pension policies to ensure social security on old age for retired government employees only. According to Public Service Retirement Act, 1974 after attaining the age of 59 years, they can retire from service and get a pension as retirement benefits. Though about 36 million labors are working in agriculture sector in the country, they are not covered by the law. Similarly, private sector workers and migrant older workers do not receive any pension. In the Act 1974, there is no specific guideline to increase retirement age as the life expectancy is gradually increasing in the country. Thus, most of the older people face various challenges in financial issues under the exiting social security programs. Moreover, many senior citizens are homeless but there are no old homes with free of cost accommodation facility for them. 

Bangladesh is neighboring country India is far more synchronized in terms of data, policy and elder support facilities. Another neighboring country Pakistan also enacted Maintenance and Welfare of Old Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2019 to safeguard its senior citizens. Historically, in Nepal immediate family members used to be the primary caregivers for their senior citizens. With influence of globalization and mass movement of younger generation of Nepali to foreign locations for better living standard and career opportunities slowly older care center are moving towards older care homes. Apart from that many older citizens of Nepal suffers greatly due to superstition. Many older people who suffer from many diseases like dementia are often left behind or have no other option to live of their own as it is considered as bad spirits or punishments of the gods as part of religious belief. As a result, a significant number of senior citizens is moving towards old homes in search of a shelter over their heads.

Governmental old homes of Bangladesh are established under the supervision of the Social Welfare Ministry of Bangladesh, whereas the private initiatives for older persons are registered and monitored by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 196133 (amended in 2007) and the section 19 of the ordinance the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (registration and control) Rules, 1962 has been passed. The Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (registration and control) Ordinance, 1961 is expedient to provide for the registration and control of voluntary social welfare agencies operating across the country. This ordinance covers the whole of Bangladesh. As per such ordinance a person or organization wishes to establish a company should be registered and should submit all necessary documents. The registration authority shall process such registration in the prescribed format. None of the agencies shall be established or continue their service without maintenance by the provisions of this ordinance.

As per section 3 of the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (registration and control) Ordinance, 1961, all old homes operating across Bangladesh need to be registered under the Ministry of Social Welfare of Bangladesh. Under section 14 of the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (registration and control) Ordinance, 1961, there is provision of punishment. Any person or company violating rules of such ordinance shall be punishable with imprisonment or a fine. But it is unfortunate that till date there is no specific authorized body that is responsible for monitoring old homes. Neither any specific mechanism is developed to evaluate the service standard of old homes. Good nutrition and sound health of older people largely depends on food with proper nutrition, availability of safe drinking water, proper sanitation facilities, minimum medical care, and maintenance of proper hygienic system.

Bangladesh National Social Welfare Policy was announced in 2005 aiming towards addressing the challenges of older people residing across the country. Later on, to address all possible challenges of older population National Committee on Ageing was constituted for the first time soon after the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing in 1982. It is considered as the first move that Bangladesh government has initiated to address the ageing issues formally. National Health Policy 2008 was introduced to ensure senior citizens receive medical assistance from national and local healthcare centers and hospitals.

On November 17, 2013, the cabinet approved the National Policy on Older Persons and recognized them as the senior citizens of the country. The National Policy for Older Persons 2013, aims to strengthen elderly healthcare facilities including primary healthcare support and the establishment of age-friendly health centers. National Elderly Policy 2013 also includes referral services along with short term mobile camps for those older persons who live in remote areas. Aiming towards ensuring a dignified, povertyless, functional, healthy, and secure society for the older people government has enacted such policy.

The Maintenance of Parents Act, 2013 of Bangladesh is enacted to ensure social security of the parents and senior citizens. This law also compels the children to take good care of their parents especially at their old age. As per the Maintenance of Parents Act, 2013 the children are entitled to ensure proper maintenance of their and parents and provide them with food and shelter facilities. Furthermore, this law also put a restriction of children sending their parents to old homes without their consent. Under section 3 it is clearly stated that under no circumstances children are allowed to force their parents to live in old homes beyond their wishes.

This law is a milestone in ensuring the rights of older people living in Bangladesh. Under section 2 and 4 of the Act 2013, this law clearly stated that food, clothing, shelter, and medical care facilities for parents and grandparents must be ensured by the children and grandchildren. Section 7 of the law, it also emphasizes that in case of separate living from parents, children are responsible for giving a reasonable amount of money from their daily, monthly, or yearly income. This Act clearly stated that any kinds of offences are cognizable, bailable, and compoundable. As per section 6 of such Act, it is stated that in case of any non-cooperation from any family members including children or son's wife or daughter's husband or any other relatives, such person shall be liable as abettor to the same crime and punishment. 

 The government needs to implement the National Older Persons Policy 2013 policies that support the introduction of an appropriate pension system, privilege cards, assisted-living facilities, day care support and health insurance schemes for older people. In addition, the allocation of senior citizens in the yearly budget should be prioritized.

Considering all aspects of older persons needs, it is the reality that they want to stay with their family. The last episode of older age should live with their extended families where they contributed. This is prime concern of the children to serve their responsibilities reciprocally. So, it is needed to think how can be ensured their rights and care in-house and outside in consistent with the social values and culture of Bangladesh.

From the above discussion, it is clear that senior citizens deserve more attention and care from family, society as well as the country. Usually, the elderly needs are ignored as there is no comprehensive legal framework with relation to respecting, promoting and protecting the rights of older people. The government should establish a significant number of old homes both in rural and urban to meet the basic needs of older people. With the present demands of the elderly, the law should be enacted for the execution of the national policy and for providing social service facilities to ease the plight of the older people. It is required to uphold the aged-friendly society for the proper execution of the laws and policies. Additionally, the government should adopt the Madrid Plan of Action towards achieving the agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development of all citizens including the elderly so that they can pass their later life with respect, dignity and peace.

The author is a professor at Bangladesh Open University.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard