'Universal social pension necessary for older people'

Elderly persons face all sorts of problems as they advance in years. They can be empowered if they are provided with employment or sources of income alongside old age allowance. Their families must also come forward to protect the rights of the elderly.

These recommendations were made at a roundtable on ‘Protecting the rights of the elderly: Challenges and opportunities’, held on Wednesday at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar of the capital city. Prothom Alo organised the roundtable in conjunction with HelpAge International.

Country director of HelpAge International Bangladesh, Rabeya Sultana, said with the development of the country’s economy and health services, as well as a fall in infant birth rates, the number of elderly men and women in the country was on a rise. Older people now constituted 8 per cent of the population. She said that Bangladesh was faced with several challenges related to old age.

She went on to say that the elderly were faced risks and poverty, loneliness, limited access to government welfare services and discrimination from the state and their families. She recommended a foundation of the aging people as a platform for their social security.

Professor of Dhaka University and secretary general of Prabin Hitoishi Sangha Association for the Aged), Atiqur Rahman, told the roundtable that the elderly needed to be cared for with dignity. They were not outsiders of the family. They wanted to speak, but there was no one to listen to them. Yet it was these people who raised their families. He said there were four matters which should be given attention regarding the elderly. These were food and shelter, healthcare, companionship, and individual freedom.

Deputy secretary of the social welfare ministry, Khadija Nazneen, said that there were old age homes in six decisions of the country. Each of the homes could accommodate 50 persons. She said there were limitations in the universal pension allowance for the elderly but this would be expanded in the future.

Country Manager of Fred Hollows Foundation, Zareen Khair, said economic empowerment could improve the condition of the elderly. They would then be in a position to take decisions in the family.

Action on Disability and Development International country director Shariful Islam said the demographic advantage that Bangladesh was facing now would not exist in another 30 years time. It is time to think about how to effectively utilise the older people. They could be given employment rather than allowances.

Project manager of HelpAge International Bangladesh, Enamul Huq, said older people should be regarded as assets. They may have physical limitations, but they have experience and knowledge. They can use their experience in assisting with local dangers, climate change challenges and other problems.

The roundtable was moderated by Prothom Alo associate Editor Abdul Quayum.