Abstract

Bangladesh has been experiencing an increasing elderly population. Due to limited governmental resources and facilities, the role of NGOs is paramount in providing care for the elderly. The study aims to evaluate Non-governmental Organizations’ administration and management regarding elder care and investigate the causes for which elders are deprived of care and rights, the difficulties suffered by them, the nature of the abuse of older people, and the adequacy of legal protection mechanisms. This study follows mixed methods incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data source is various rules, regulations, and legislation.

The study shows that many Non-governmental Organizations and institutions are doing a lot for the care and protection of the elderly in Bangladesh, not everyone is getting these benefits. There is also no specific legislation to control the administration and management of Non-governmental Organizations working for elderly care in Bangladesh. They are registered and administered in the traditional system. The present conditions of the elderly situations in Bangladesh are not good. A developing country like Bangladesh cannot ensure care and necessities for the aged. Under those circumstances, Non-governmental Organizations must assume the task of providing care for them.

Keywords: Non-Governmental Elder Care, Elderly Population, Legal Protection Mechanisms for Elder Population, Rights for Elderly Population, Violence against Elderly in Bangladesh.

1 Introduction

Elders are presumed as assets of society. They help the community by giving advice which they achieved throughout their life. Recently, the world has been experiencing an increasing population, including the elderly population. Bangladesh is not an exception in this regard. According to the country’s Population and Housing Census 2022, almost 1.53 crore population were now over 60 years of age.[1] In percentage, it was nearly 9.28% of the total population.[2] Which, in 2011, was approximately 7.48% of the total population.[3] From that demographic data, it is clear that the elderly population is increasing.

Though the elderly in Bangladesh are treated well and get value from society, they face many difficulties both from the family and the community. The Government of Bangladesh has taken many policies and adopted laws to protect the elderly. The Non-governmental Organizations have also worked in this regard. The question is whether it is adequate for protecting and caring for the elderly in Bangladesh. This paper shall explore the administration and management of Non-governmental Organizations to their work’s adequacy for the protection and care of the elderly in Bangladesh.

2 Literature Review

In 2013, the Bangladesh government enacted legislation for the maintenance of parents. Before that, there was no legislation regarding maintenance or elder care. Children are indeed responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their parents. The community and the government are also responsible for caring for their senior citizens. According to the Parents Maintenance Act 2013, Every child must ensure the maintenance of their parents.[4] The only liability the government takes is to ensure punishment to those who don’t obey the provisions of the said Act.

However, the government has taken some policies regarding protecting the elderly, such as the National Health Policy 2008, The National Policy on Older Persons 2013, and more.[5] Action taken by the government is not adequate to protect and ensure elder care. Some Non-governmental Organizations also work for the elderly population independently.[6] There is no central control or regulations to regulate those organizations.

Previous studies regarding the elderly show the scope and limitations of the newly enacted parent’s law relating to the maintenance and coverage of some policies regarding elder care.[7] Some of the studies are about the violation of human rights of the aged,[8] neglect and abuse of the elderly,[9] health care,[10] protection of rights of older people,[11] social safety,[12] and the government’s responsibility.[13]

There are no significant studies exclusively regarding the role of Non-governmental organizations in the care of the elderly. Some studies mention their work but fail to draw the adequacy of their administration and management for the protection and maintenance of the elderly. This study explores and illustrates the administration and management of the non-governmental elder care situation in Bangladesh.

3 Research Objectives

The principle objective of the study is to evaluate Non-governmental organizations’ administration and management regarding elder care. Apart from that, there are also some other objectives. These are as follows —

1. To find out the difficulties suffered by and the nature of the abuse of older people;
2. Find out the causes for which elders are deprived of care and rights;
3. Find whether the legal protection mechanisms are adequate or not;
4. To address some suggestions for possible ways of improving the protection and care of the elderly by Non-governmental organizations;
5. To promote, through Non-governmental organizations, elder care, and their protection;

4 Research Methodology

This study follows mixed methods incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Only using any of the mentioned two methods can cause severe disadvantages and lead to the findings in a vague situation. This study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data source is various rules, regulations, and legislation. The secondary data are collected from books, journal articles, blog articles, newspaper articles, websites, international instruments, and many more. Research articles collected from journals are screened based on titles and abstracts. Then the full-text articles are evaluated whether they are used or not. The researcher also takes interviews of a respondent following the non-probability convenience sampling technique.

5 Rights of Elder Populations in International Instruments

Every person has some rights irrespective of their age. In that regard, older persons also have some rights. Many international instruments protect their rights. According to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. According to Article 2 of the declaration, everyone has the right to enjoy their rights irrespective of race, color, sex, religion, language, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. Older people’s rights are human, absolute, and inalienable.

So, older persons can enjoy their rights as human beings. They can not be deprived of enjoying their rights only because of their age. According to Article 25 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, all persons are entitled to a standard and good living for themselves and their family, including food, clothing, treatment, housing, and necessary social services and the right to security in case of unemployment, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in the circumstances beyond their control.

6 Rights of Elder Populations in Domestic Laws and Policies

In Bangladesh, the rights of older populations are guaranteed by The Constitution. According to Article 15(d), the State shall be responsible for ensuring social security to its citizens when they are old in case of undeserved want.

According to The National Population Policy 2011, the State shall be responsible for ensuring social security and elderly well-being, such as health and medical protection, shelter, food, and nutrition, to the elderly disadvantaged group.

According to The National Health Policy 2008, elders are entitled to get services from all national healthcare centers and access to local hospitals. The government will establish a geriatric care and medicine department for the education of students to provide better treatment to the older populations.

Before 2013, there was no law regarding elder care in Bangladesh. Many policies have been enacted for the well-being of older populations. However, there was a need to enact laws to protect and maintain senior citizens. In 2013, the Maintenance of Parents Act was legislated for the protection of parents by their children. There is criticism regarding this Act.

But it is good of evil. According to this Act, Every child must ensure the maintenance of their parents.[14] Maintenance of Parents falls on both the male and female child.[15] When there is more than one child, they must ensure their parents’ maintenance.[16] In that case, they can discuss and make a way out of the care of their parents.[17] If parents don’t get maintenance or are compelled to live in an old home by their child or children, parents can seek remedy by courts.[18] If any application is filed in that regard, the Court can ensure a remedy for them.[19]

7 Difficulties Suffered by the Older People

Older people suffer from their basic needs. Many of them suffer from health problems, housing, clothing, or food problems. They also suffer because of unemployment. Lack of financial capacities leads them into poverty. Government job holders and some private job holders get pensions after their retirement. People who are not job holders can’t get pensions. Old age allowances provided by the government are limited. Only vulnerable elderly get the old age allowances from the government.[20]

Older people in Bangladesh mainly depend on their families for care and maintenance. In modern times they are deprived of family care. They suffer both physical and mental stress. Many children send their parents to old homes. They also suffer from community care, social care, mobility problems, safety and security, consumer protection, and decision-making.[21]

People living in urban areas get better health care services than older people in rural areas. Almost 14% of older people get insurance coverage in Dhaka City.[22] Common health issues affecting older people in Bangladesh include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, angina, myocardial infarction, and heart attack.[23] Older people also have diabetes and its complications, arthritis, osteoporosis, skeletal deformity, obesity, male prostate enlargement, sleep disturbance, behavioral changes, and dementia.[24] Cancer can also affect elderly persons. Lung, stomach, colon, breast, and uterine cervix cancers are all possible. 50% of adults over 65 have some form of arthritis, which can cause discomfort and reduced quality of life for some of them.[25]

While interviewing an older woman,[26] she said her husband died ten years ago. She has six children. Among them, two are male, and four are female. All her children are married. She lived with her elder son. Most often, her son’s wife bullied her and did not give her food. When she needed special assistance from her, she was beaten by her. One day, her son and the son’s wife forcefully took her signature and acquired her property. Now, she lives with one of her grandsons.

8 Nature of the Abuse and Neglect of Older People

Older persons are often abused and neglected by family members and society. They are abused sexually, financially, physically, psychologically, and many more.[27] Sexual abuse is less in comparison with the other forms of abuse.[28] Older people suffer from severe financial and physical abuse. Some examples of physical abuse are[29] —

1. Threatening with weapons;
2. Intentionally beating;
3. Pushing with force;
4. Slapping;
5. Locking in a room;

Some examples of psychological abuse are[30] —

1. Threatening;
2. Calling by their names;
3. Undermining and underestimating;
4. Repeatedly ignoring;
5. Calling “Bura” and “Buri”;
6. Insulting in front of others;
7. Using slang in front of them;

Some examples of financial abuse are[31] —

1. Stealing and taking away resources;
2. Forcing to give out resources and possessions;
3. Taking away power and authority;

Older people are abused and neglected by their families and societies as they cannot earn and do their essential work. In the urban areas, senior citizens get preferences as they get pensions and medical care services appropriately. The elderly in rural areas don’t get adequate relief. Health infrastructure is not so good in rural areas compared to urban areas. Due to poverty, they can’t afford health treatment. The food crisis also plays an important role. Due to the food crisis, many of the elderly population are compelled to beg. Sometimes, older people are forced to leave their houses by their children. They are neglected in many ways. Some examples of negligence are[32] —

1. Failing to provide timely food or water;
2. Neglecting to wash or bath;
3. Not assisting with using the toilet;
4. Ignoring the need for help in going outside;
5. Forgetting to administer necessary medicine;

9 Violence against the Elderly in Bangladesh

The elderly in Bangladesh are not only abused or neglected but also they are experiencing violence against them. In Bangladesh, 88.4% of people are experiencing mental torture, and 83.3% are victims of ignorance.[33] Due to poverty, 55% of older people also suffer.[34] In Dhaka City, 55% of older people are tortured by their family members.[35] Most often, they are afflicted by their children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and spouses.

In Comilla District, an elderly couple was tortured by a native in a land dispute.[36] The accused person’s name is Kamrul Hasan and he is 30 years old. While tortured by this person, witnesses rescued the elderly couple and sent them to the hospital. A video went viral, and the Police arrested the accused person.

According to The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2010, violence against the elderly is recognized and treated as the breakdown in social relations between an older person and his or her family.[37] Though the government enacts this law, it is only applicable to women. Only women can apply if they are tortured. It should be applicable to both men and women elderly.

10 Causes for Which Elders are Deprived of Care and Rights

The Elderly has the right not to be deprived of care, maintenance, and respect by various national and international instruments. In reality, it has been seen that they are deprived of care and maintenance. In traditional society, they get respect, but they are deprived of affection in the civilized world. There are many reasons behind that.

There has recently been a change in traditional norms and values. Previously, older people were respected by society. The community granted their opinion in case of taking any initiative like marriage or building religious and charitable establishments. Young people accepted their advice because they were experienced. Now, Young people do not respect their elders. They neglect elders by calling them “Bura and Buri.”

The breakdown of joint families is another cause of older persons’ abuse, violation, and neglect. Recently, joint families of the villages have broken down, and nucleus families have been created. Older people are not able to earn. They need assistance from their family members. When they are separated from the nucleus family, they are deprived of the help of their family members. Thus, they cannot generate income and experience challenges like food crises, clothing, treatment, and many more in a separate family.

Recently the number of older people has increased rapidly. Demographic data[38][39] shows that in 1974, 5.7% populations were elderly of the total population. In 1981 and 1991, the percentage decreased to 5.6% and 5.42%, respectively. The elderly population increased in 2001. It was almost 6.38% of the total population. In 2011, it was 7.48%, and in 2021, it was 9.28%. Due to the increasing rate of older persons, it is not easy to provide reasonable care and maintenance by the government and the families. The growing rate of elderly triggered abuse, neglect, and violence toward the older population in Bangladesh.

Figure 1: Percentage of elderly population in Bangladesh[40]

Poverty is one of the most important causes of which their families neglect older people in Bangladesh. However, older adults in urban areas get preferences because of their income, pensions, and the economic conditions of their families. In rural areas, a larger population is dependent on agriculture. In old age, they don’t get any pensions or any funds. The funds provided by the government are inadequate compared to the increasing number of the elderly population throughout the country.

A study shows that 77% of older adults do not meet their necessities due to a lack of income, and 71.4% are dependent on siblings for financial assistance to meet their needs.[41] Most of the time, a low-income family can’t ensure separate living places for their older adults because they live in one or two-room houses.[42] In urban areas, older adults have no problem with basic needs but are isolated and depressed.[43] Older adults are deprived of recreation also.

Due to urbanization, many people have migrated from village to city for their job responsibilities. Some of them are relocated for educational purposes. For that reason, older persons are deprived of care from their children. Sometimes, children migrate from one country to another for income and education. Sometimes they migrate for settlement. Industrialization and migration for jobs, education, or settlement cause the breakdown of joint families. In old age, people need care from their family members, but they are deprived. Lack of treatment facilities in rural areas is another cause for not getting proper care. Due to low income, older people are denied better treatment.

While they distribute their property among their children, children do not care for them. They are neglected and abused by their children. Sometimes pressures are created by their children to distribute property. At times, they are also compelled to give their children their pension fund or any other fund. Of that, violence occurs, and their children often beat them.

11 Adequacies of Legal Protection Mechanisms for Protecting and Ensuring Elder’s Rights

The elderly population is subject to rights and care from the family and government. Society has to play an essential role in safeguarding the elderly from neglect, abuse, and violations. Before 2013, there was no law to ensure the safety and maintenance of the elderly population of Bangladesh. However, the government took various initiatives to ensure the safety and protection of the elderly from neglect, abuse, and violations.

The Government of Bangladesh provides pensions to its employees. Government employers are also entitled to benefits when they are old. They get retirement benefits. They are also benefited from the benevolent fund and provident fund. They also qualify for insurance coverage. This initiative covers only a few percentages of older people. Moreover, most people live in the village and are engaged in agricultural work. They are deprived of such services provided by the government.

Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare introduces some programs for the benefit and well-being of older adults, especially those in vulnerable positions. Some of them are —

11.1 Old Age Allowance Programme (OAAP)

The old age allowance program was introduced in 1998. This program aims to provide a cash payment to the hands of older people. This program is financed from the government’s revenue budget.[44] Currently, a male older person aged 65 or above and a female older person aged 62 or above are eligible for such allowance.[45] Disabled men and women are getting preference for getting such subsidies.

According to the Department of Social Services, in the 1998-99 financial year, almost 4.03 lakh people were getting coverage by this program, and the government spent 40.31 crore taka for such a program.[46] In the 2020-21 financial year, almost 1495.40 crore taka was paid by the government, and the number of people covered by this program is 24.75 lakh.[47] Currently, each person is getting 600 taka as an allowance.[48] The government plans to subsidize all men above 65 and women above 62 by 2025.[49]

Photo 1: Government expenditure for old age allowances.[50]

11.2 Social Safety Net Program

The Government of Bangladesh has introduced some social safety net programs. Some of them are the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), Gratuitous Relief Fund, Vulnerable Group Development (VGD), Fund for Housing of Disaster, and Widow and Distressed Women Allowance.[51]

Photo 2: Shamsul Huda, a beneficiary of the government’s safety net program.[52]

The government’s allowance is inadequate if it considers the present economic and market situation. Shamsul Huda,[53] who has benefited from the government’s social safety net programs, has a house of a little tin shed. It is a tea stall of him. Now it turned into his home. Due to poverty, he is living in his tea stall. He has been affected by asthma from an early age. He has to buy two inhalers every month, and each piece’s price is 250 taka.

11.3 Shanti Nibash (Happy Homes)[54]

In 1999, to provide life-long facilities for care, protection, and leading an everyday life at the age of the elderly, The Government of Bangladesh established six ‘Happy Homes’ in six Divisions of the country. Every home can provide care to one hundred older people. Among them, 50 are male, and the rest are female. It was a great initiative taken by the government. But only six homes in six districts with a capacity of 100 people is undoubtedly less than the actual need.

11.4 The Parents Care Act, 2013

According to The Parents Care Act 2013, each parent’s children are responsible for caring for their parents. If there is more than one child, they can discuss and make decisions to provide maintenance to their parents. In the absence of parents, they are liable to care for their grandparents. If anyone cannot give maintenance, he is responsible and subject to punishment. Parents can file an objection against their children if they don’t get care from them.

Though the Government of Bangladesh has taken many policies for the betterment of older people, this policy is inadequate due to the rapid rise of the aging population. In 2021, 9.28% of the total population was over 60 years of age which in 2011 was 7.48%.[55] It will be challenging to provide adequate care which they need to maintain healthy life with dignity. The government has to introduce a new policy to give older people a better experience and care.

12 Non-Governmental Elder Care Administrations and Management in Bangladesh

Apart from the government, many Non-governmental Organizations and establishments are working for the care of the elderly. These organizations are working with some international organizations also. Government organizations have taken many programs for the betterment of older people. It initiated programs like pensions, gratuities, provident funds, welfare funds, group insurance, and many more for retired government employees. Almost 83% of the total population lives in rural areas.[56] Most of them are illiterate and earn their livelihood from agriculture.

This vast section of the people is beyond the benefit of the government. Though the government provides an old age allowance, it is inadequate for protecting and caring for the elderly. Bangladesh is a developing country. It has many limitations. The representation of Non-governmental Organizations is necessary for the betterment of the elderly in Bangladesh. In that case, the Non-governmental Organizations should play an important role. Some of the leading non-governmental organizations for caring and betterment of aged people in Bangladesh are —

12.1 Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM)

This is the country’s leading institution that provides complete care facilities, comprising residential and health care facilities, for the aged.[57] Since 1960, this organization has been working with the Social Welfare Ministry and Social Services.[58] This organization provides health care services, including indoor and outdoor services. It also has hospital services and provides recreational services for the aged population.

In the outdoor department of the Geriatric Hospital, individuals are examined and treated for all general disorders, and impoverished, vulnerable older people receive free medications.[59] They have a fifty-bed hospital facility where patients are taken care of by experienced doctors and staff. To provide medical care to the aged population, this organization has been running a medical education program called the Institute of Geriatric Medicine (IGM) since 2010 with the approval of the government.[60] BAAIGM now has forty-four branches all over Bangladesh.[61]

Now it is easier for them to provide care and facilities to the aged population throughout Bangladesh. The mission of this organization is to facilitate maintenance, safety, shelter, food, clothes, recreation, rehabilitation, and treatment for the aged population.

12.2 Elders Rehabilitation Centre (ERC)

It is another Non-governmental Organization situated in Gazipur that also provides free accommodation, food, clothing, and medical facilities. They provide facilities only for their residential-aged people. Currently, five hundred aged people are getting facilities from this organization.[62]

12.3 Resource Integration Center (RIC)

This organization was established in 1981, intending to work with the community. They are working on various aspects of the needs of the people. They provide education and treatment, promote financial services for women, and promote aged people’s social protection, income security, and health care services.[63] They work in 26 districts for the senior people’s safety, income security, and health care. They provide health support, winter clothes, funeral support, training, and capacity-building programs in their working areas. Through their activities, 2 lac people directly and indirectly benefited.[64]

12.4 Service Centre for Elderly People (SCEP) [65]

This organization is situated in the Rajshahi district. It was established in 1994. It provides health services, social activities, and recreational facilities for older persons. For registered elderly, they provide a health investigation program once a week.

12.5 Elderly Development Initiatives (EDI)

This community-based organization works for community development. It was established in 1995 in the Manikganj district. It provides services on financial issues, education, health care, and psychological support services. It has no programs to provide shelter.

Apart from that, many Non-governmental Institutions work for the care and protection of the elderly in Bangladesh. Retired Armed Forces Officer Welfare Association (RAOWA) is one of them. The former officers of the Army instituted this organization. In Bangladesh, the Retired Police Officers Welfare Association (Dhaka), Rehabilitation Centre for Aged and Child, Service Centre for Aged People (Rajshahi), Elderly Development Initiative (Manikganj), Sena Kalyan Sangstha, and other organizations are also undertaking initiatives for the aged. Rotary Club, Lions Club, Girls Guide, Mothers Home, and many organizations are working to develop the aged population.

Though many Non-governmental Organizations and Institutions are doing a lot for the care and protection of the elderly in Bangladesh, not everyone is getting this benefit. Some of the organizations and institutions are working for specific sectors of people. The retired Armed Forces Officer Welfare Association (RAOWA) only works for retired armed forces officers. Service Centre for Aged People is working only in Rajshahi. Some organizations either provide health care or provide socio-economic care. Some have hospitals and aged home services, and other has only hospital services. There are no organizations that offer balanced services to aged populations.

Older adults need mostly health care services. However, in Bangladesh, there is a lack of geriatric departments and services. Many adults are not capable of getting services for a higher rate to get assistance.

13 Laws Relating to Non-governmental Elder Care Administration and Management in Bangladesh

Primarily, Non-governmental Organizations in Bangladesh are registered at the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare. Initially, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) focused on social and religious issues, but following Bangladesh’s independence, they expanded their efforts to include disaster and relief issues.[66] In Bangladesh, the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) was established in 1990. The primary purpose of the NGOAB is to give a one-stop service to NGOs. In addition, it facilitates the activity of Non-governmental Organizations in the country and ensures their transparency and accountability to the State. The NGOAB is a regulatory organization that oversees the operations and functions of both national and international NGOs.

In Bangladesh, some laws regulate the functions of Non-governmental Organizations. These are —

1. The Foreign Donations ( Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance 1978;
2. The Foreign Donations ( Voluntary Activities) Regulation Rules 1978;
3. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Ordinance, 1982;
4. The Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies Registration and Control Rules, 1961;
5. The Societies Registration Act 1860, and many more.

It is seen that there is no codified legislation to administer and manage the activities of NGOs. Current laws have failed to help the broad functions of NGOs. It threatens the organizations’ capacity to flourish and serve society.

There is also no legislation to control the administration and management of Non-governmental Organizations working for elderly care in Bangladesh. They are registered and administered in the traditional system.

14 Recommendations

The present conditions of the elderly in Bangladesh are not good. Many elderly don’t get any care and protection from the government and society. So, the government should take adequate measures in that regard. The Non-governmental Organizations also provide care to the elderly. Sometimes they don’t offer care but make money as profit. They take benefit because there is no adequate control mechanism. NGOs are criticized as they are working like businesses instead of providing services to the community. Some recommendations to ensure elderly care and good governance of the Non-governmental Organizations for the welfare of the aged citizens are provided below —

1. Make laws to regulate Non-governmental Organizations that provide elder care services.
2. Establish a geriatric medicine department in each government and non-government hospital to produce skilled human resources.
3. Establish enough old homes with adequate facilities.
4. Establish a national monitoring system to monitor non-governmental elder care administration and management.
5. Formulate separate rules and regulations to regulate service care providers.
6. Make guidelines for each hospital to give priority to aged persons in case of elder care.
7. Ensure social awareness through Non-governmental Organizations.
8. To promote elder care services through Non-governmental Organizations, provide benefits and funding by the government.
9. Establish recreational facilities by Non-governmental Organizations for elder care.
10. Establish an “Elder Care Commission” to regulate non-governmental elder care.

15 Conclusions

Before passing away, everyone may experience old age. Many problems arise in this stage of life. Poverty, bad economic conditions, lack of proper care, and increasing rate of medicine make this stage challenging for the aged populations. Older people are assets of society. So, they are entitled to respect and affection from the State and community.

A developing country like Bangladesh cannot ensure care and necessities for the aged. In that case, it is imperative for Non-governmental Organizations to take responsibility for providing care for them. Currently, 12000 NGOs are working in Bangladesh.[67] Very few of them are working for the benefit of the aged. The government immediately needs to formulate policies and laws to regulate non-governmental organizations to ensure care for the aged.

16 Limitations

Every study has its limitations. Though this study uses qualitative and quantitative methods and primary and secondary data sources, data are inadequate regarding this topic. The websites of the Government of Bangladesh are not up to date, and some statistics are used which are not recent. Some data are used from various websites. It can’t be possible to cross-check its reliability due to a shortage of time. This study does not use any questionnaire to collect data from the elderly population. Only one interview is conducted while writing this paper. It is inadequate to draw a point.

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[1] Editorial, ‘The state must take better care of elderly citizens’ The Daily Star (Dhaka, 20 August 2022) <www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/the-state-must-take-better-care-elderly-citizens-3099226> accessed 31 October 2023

[2] Ibid.                                                                                                                                                                                             

[3] Ibid.

[4] The Parents Maintenance Act, 2013 Section 3

[5] Nahid Ferdousi, ‘Protecting Elderly People in Bangladesh: An Overview’ (2019) 24 JURNAL UNDANG-UNDANG DAN MASYARAKAT <http://ejournal.ukm.my/juum/> accessed 2 November 2023.

[6] Rafea Khatun, ‘What Do Grown Children Owe Their Parents? A Moral Duty and Legal Responsibility in Bangladesh’ (2018) 32 International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 363 <https://academic.oup.com/lawfam/article/32/3/363/5106391> accessed 2 November 2023.

[7] Md Abdullah Al Mamun and Tanzina Alam Chowdhury, ‘The Legal Aspects of Social Safety of Senior Citizens in Bangladesh’ (2021) 8 European Journal of Economics, Law and Politics <http://elpjournal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1.The-Legal-Aspects-of-Social-Safety-of-Senior-Citizens-in-Bangladesh.pdf> accessed 2 November 2023.

[8] Md. Zahid Hossain, A.K.M. Mahmudul Haque and S.M. Akram Ullah, ‘Human Rights Violation of the Elderly People in Bangladesh: Do They Enjoy Basic Needs?’ [2020] International Journal of Aging Research 73 <https://escipub.com/ijoar-2020-10-2505/> accessed 2 November 2023.

[9] Shekh Farid, ‘Elder Abuse and Neglect in Bangladesh: Understanding Issues, Associated Factors and Consequences’ (2017) 2 Family Medicine & Primary Care Review 123 <https://www.termedia.pl/doi/10.5114/fmpcr.2017.67865> accessed 2 November 2023.

[10] Md Azizul Islam and Md Fashiur Rahman, ‘Health Problems of Elderly People in Bangladesh’ (2017) 13 Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh 1 <https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/JAFMC/article/view/41007> accessed 2 November 2023.

[11] Ferdousi (n 5).

[12] Mamun and Chowdhury (n 7).

[13] Editorial, ‘The state must take better care of elderly citizens’ The Daily Star (Dhaka, 20 August 2022) <www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/the-state-must-take-better-care-elderly-citizens-3099226> accessed 31 October 2023.

[14] The Parents Maintenance Act 2013, Section 3

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Ibid, Section 5

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ferdousi (n 5).

[21] ibid.

[22] Islam and Rahman (n 10).

[23] ibid.

[24] ibid.

[25] ibid.

[26] Interview with Hajera Khatun, House wife (Kushtia, Bangladesh, 5 November 2023)

[27] Farid (n 9).

[28] ibid.

[29] ibid.

[30] ibid.

[31] ibid.

[32] ibid.

[33] Staff Correspondent, ‘55pc Elderly Victims of Physical Torture in Capital: Survey’ The Daily Star(Dhaka, 7 September 2012) <https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-248746> accessed 19 November 2023.

[34] ibid.

[35] ibid.

[36] ‘Man Arrested for Torturing Elderly Couple in Comilla’ (Dhaka Tribune, 11 May 2021) <https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2021/05/11/video-of-comilla-elderly-couple-being-tortured-goes-viral-1-held> accessed 19 November 2023.

[37] Siti Zaharah Binti Jamaluddin, Gan Ching Chuan and Mohammad Abu Taher, ‘Strategies in the Prevention or Reduction of Elder Abuse in Bangladesh and Malaysia’ (2015) 172 Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 42 <https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1877042815003705> accessed 2 November 2023.

[38] Reports from Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

[39] Antoni Barikdar, Tahera Ahmed and Shamima Parvin Lasker, ‘The Situation of the Elderly in Bangladesh’ (2016) 7 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 27 <https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BIOETHICS/article/view/29303> accessed 2 November 2023.

[40] ibid.

[41] Dr Raziur Rahman, ‘An Empirical Study OnElderly Population’s Care in Bangladesh: Legal and Ethical Issues’ 23 IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science 1.

[42] ibid.

[43] ibid.

[44]  Sharifa Begum and Dharmapriya Wesumperuma, ‘The Old-age Allowance Programme in Bangladesh: Challenges and Lessons’ (The International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth, 2013) <https://www.ipc-undp.org/pub/IPCOnePager218.pdf> accessed 19 November 2023.

[45] Star Online Report, ‘All Senior Citizens to Be given Old-Age Allowance by 2025: Social Welfare Minister’ (The Daily Star, 11 February 2020) <https://www.thedailystar.net/top-news/all-senior-citizens-in-bangladesh-be-given-old-age-allowance-2025-1866535> accessed 19 November 2023.

[46] ‘Elder Allowance’ (Department of Social Services, Bangladesh, 7 August 2024) <http://www.dss.gov.bd/site/page/7314930b-3f4b-4f90-9605-886c36ff423a/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE> accessed 19 August 2024

[47] Ibid.

[48] Ibid.        

[49] Report (n 45).

[50] ‘Elder Allowance’ <http://www.dss.gov.bd/site/page/7314930b-3f4b-4f90-9605-886c36ff423a/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dss.gov.bd%2Fsite%2Fpage%2F7314930b-3f4b-4f90-9605-886c36ff423a%2F%25E0%25A6%25AC%25E0%25A7%259F%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%2595-%25E0%25A6%25AD%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25A4%25E0%25A6%25BE> accessed 19 November 2023.

[51] Ferdousi (n 5).

[52] Anwar Ali, ‘Old Age Allowances Grossly Inadequate’ (The Daily Star, 24 May 2022) <https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/old-age-allowances-grossly-inadequate-3030426> accessed 19 November 2023.

[53] ibid.

[54] Ferdousi (n 5).

[55]  Editorial, ‘The state must take better care of elderly citizens’ The Daily Star (Dhaka, 20 August 2022) <www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/the-state-must-take-better-care-elderly-citizens-3099226> accessed 31 October 2023.

[56] Rahman (n 40).

[57] ibid.

[58] Ferdousi (n 5).

[59] ‘ Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine’ <https://baaigm.org.bd/hospital/> accessed 20 November 2023.

[60] ‘Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine’ <https://baaigm.org.bd/igm/> accessed 20 November 2023.

[61] ‘Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine’ <https://baaigm.org.bd/branches/> accessed 20 November 2023.

[62] Ferdousi (n 5).

[63] ric-bd.org, ‘Mission Vision Objective’ (ric-bd.org) <https://www.ric-bd.org/about-value-vision-strategy> accessed 20 November 2023.

[64] ric-bd.org, ‘Social Protection’ (ric-bd.org) <https://www.ric-bd.org/whatwedo-social-protection> accessed 20 November 2023.

[65] Ferdousi (n 5).

[66] Ahamuduzzaman, International Human Rights Law (5^th edition, Shams Publications, 2018)

[67] Shahanaz Sharmin, ‘QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ELDER PEOPLE AT ELDERLY CARE HOMES IN BANGLADESH’ 60.