They also urged the government to take measures against elder abuse and ensure that everybody regardless of age gets the opportunity to work on the basis of their ability.
Forum for the Rights of the Elderly Bangladesh arranged the discussion titled ‘The Journey to Age Equality-2019’ at the Jatiya Press Club.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Nasima Begum said the unrest in the society and families prevails for lack of social values. “Youths don’t respect the elderly and the elders don’t love the youths in many cases...to take this country forward, we must have good ties between them,” she said.
She mentioned that no one is burden for the country and everyone must get the chance to work. “If the elders are provided with work according to their ability, they won’t be burden to others,” she added.
“Many elderly people are sick and if they get affected by one disease, many others can attack them...we have to look into this,” she said.
Former NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque said the government is trying to build a safer society of children and women especially by taking measures against the oppression of women.
“However, no one ever thinks about elder abuse. There’re parents to look after children, husbands to look after women but the elderly people have none,” he said.
He mentioned that the government must come forward for the elderly people.
President of the Jatiya Press Club Saiful Alam said different countries provide many facilities to their senior citizens. “Our country has also some benefits, including elderly allowances, senior citizen announcement, and reservation of seats in buses,” he said.
Saiful, however, questioned the implementation of these facilities, saying the country will go further if employment is provided to the elderly people based on their merit.
Researcher Dr Sharifa Begum presented the keynote paper while Forum for the Rights of the Elderly Bangladesh President Major General (retd) Jeevan Kanai Das chaired the event.