Recognising rights of senior citizens

With the number of people in their old age (65 years and above) remaining at around 12 million in 2025, representing 7.0 per cent of the total population, Bangladesh is going through a fast demographic transition. Since people need different types of support and care in old age, their families, the government and society in general have to share those responsibilities. But unlike advanced societies, Bangladesh as a lower income economy lacks the required governmental, societal, even familial support systems to look after its senior citizens. Small wonder that in old age people here become an unavoidable burden on society. It is time, as an economy transitioning to a middle income one, Bangladesh also came out of its traditional outlook about old age and committed required social and state resources for the well-being of its senior citizens.

In this connection, it is a welcome development that the interim administration is giving the issue some serious consideration. Notably, at a recent social occasion marking the International Day for Older Persons, observed on October 1, the planning adviser, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud informed that the government would include the issues of elderly people in its reform agenda. As implementation of all the rules and regulations will not require a large amount of money, the adviser assured that the interim government would prepare some policies as required for the well-being of the senior citizens within a short period of time.

It is undoubtedly a well-meaning and well-timed move from the government for the nation's elder members and a step forward in recognising their needs. Also, in addition to the financial benefits they would get, arrangements should be in place so that senior citizens' issues get the priority they deserve at the public places like hospitals, banks and public transports. Their other needs depending on the social class they are part of would also require addressing. For members of richer segment of society in their old age need association, not money. Older people from poor background, on the other hand, are more in need of money than association to survive. So, all the special needs of old people have to be kept in mind by policymakers while preparing strategies for their well-being. The younger members of society would also need to increase their awareness about the special needs and sensitivities of the senior citizens.

At this point, it is important to note that recognition of the issues of the elderly people and framing policies as well as allocating state resources to meet their needs will not be enough. As long as the mindset of the government functionaries about the elderly people unable to contribute to society in the traditional sense of the term change, they would be looked upon as dependent and the state resources to be allotted for them as a favour and not a right. It is not solely the government people, society at large and even families to which senior citizens belong still consider any government or social benefit provided to their elder members purely as a handout. In that case, recognition of older people's requirements by the government and society and the provision of some financial and other kinds of benefits for them will be enough. The senior members of society should be given to think that what they would receive from the state and society is not just an act of kindness, but a right they have earned by way of contributing to their families and society during the productive years of their lives.