‘Families must share responsibility for elderly welfare’ Says Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman on Monday emphasised that protecting the rights, dignity and wellbeing of senior citizens requires not only legal measures but also stronger social awareness and collective responsibility from families and communities.

Speaking at a consultation meeting titled “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day-2026” in the capital, the minister said older people often face vulnerabilities that can leave them even more helpless than children in certain situations, making their protection a shared responsibility of the state, society and family.

The event, organised by Resource Integration Centre (RIC), was held at the YWCA auditorium in Mohammadpur.

Addressing the gathering, Md Asaduzzaman said many cases of neglect and abuse involving elderly people cannot be effectively prevented through law enforcement alone. He stressed that fostering social and moral values is essential to tackling such problems and ensuring greater respect for senior citizens.

Highlighting government measures aimed at improving the welfare of older people, he said several benefits had been introduced in the current fiscal year’s budget. For the first time, citizens aged 65 years and above have been granted free train travel, while metro rail fares have been reduced by 25 per cent for them. In addition, the allowance for senior citizens aged 90 years and above has been raised to Taka 1,000.

The minister also called on relevant organisations to submit concrete recommendations regarding amendments to the Maintenance of Parents Act, 2013, and its Rules, 2023, with a view to strengthening protections for elderly citizens.

He said the government would carefully consider any legal reforms necessary to advance their welfare and rights.

He further stressed the importance of increasing public awareness about preserving the ‘usufruct right’ during property transfers, noting that such protection would help senior citizens retain the use, possession and security of their assets throughout their lifetime.

The meeting was chaired by RIC Executive Director Abul Hasib Khan. Among those who addressed the event were Director General of the Department of Social Services Shah Mohammad Mahboob, Nari Pokkho member Shirin Parvin Haque, former chairperson of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, and FREB President Major General (Retd) Jiban Kanai Das.

RIC-BMZ project national coordinator Tofazzal Hossain Monju delivered the keynote presentation at the consultation meeting.