Bangladesh is committed to ensure dignity and well-being of the older persons of the country, said Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh to the United Nations.
The diplomat was addressing at the 8th Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing at UNHQ in New York on Wednesday.
Mentioning our constitution guarantees for the equal rights to all citizen of the country including older persons, the Permanent Representative said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government of Bangladesh is very sensitive to its current demographic transition where approximately 80,000 new elderly people are entering this ageing population every year”.
Ambassador Momen stated that the Bangladesh’s national policy of ageing embraces the spirit of the Madrid Plan of Action not only by defining a person at or above the age of 60 as senior citizens, but also incorporation important provisions of poverty reduction, health care, security of their life and property.
To ensure dignity and well-being of the older person, the Ambassador lauded about the government’s initiatives like ‘Introducing Old Age Allowance Programme’, ‘Food for Works’, ‘Cash for Works’, ‘Vulnerable Group Feeding’ and increasing of the age of retirement from 57 to 59 years.
He also said, “Many NGOs in Bangladesh are also working hand in hand with government to ensure the health care services, recreational and socio-economic activities for the older persons”.
In his statement, the PR elaborated few policies to enhance the contribution of older persons which are, 1) to pay greater attention in building capacity to eradicate poverty among older persons, in particular, older women; 2) emphasize in identifying priority areas for implementation of the Madrid Plan of Action, including empowering older persons, and raising awareness of ageing issues; 3) strengthen and incorporate a gender and disability perspective into all policy action on ageing; 4) take adequate health care of older persons, as well as state should take due measures to avoid abuse and violence against older persons, in particular older women; 5) enhance international cooperation to support national efforts to enhance the contribution of older persons to social development, in keeping with internationally agreed goals including 2030 Agenda.
The PR urged the international community to redouble their efforts for strengthening the partnership and cooperation so that no older person is left behind.
