GOs, NGOs need to work together

Experts in the city observed Tuesday that government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should work together to create awareness against the abuse of senior citizens in society, reports UNB.

Addressing a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club, they also noted that there is a huge knowledge gap and lack of understanding about the abuse of senior citizens, though the trend is increasing day by day.

The Forum for the Rights of the Elderly, Bangladesh in cooperation with Help Age International organised the seminar, marking the UN World Elder Abuse Awareness Day observed on June 15.

In her keynote presentation, Ferdous Ara Begum, former member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, said there are 13 million people in Bangladesh who are 60 years or above and this number is increasing at a rate of 2.9 per cent.

She added that older women are more vulnerable to abuses because they live longer than men and mostly live alone.

Ferdous Ara also noted that elder abuse refers to various types of abuses, including physical abuse, negligence, exploitation, abandonment, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.

In most cases, senior people are abused by close family members, said Ferdous Ara.