An emerging challenge

The ageing population in Bangladesh is growing fast, becoming an emerging issue that is challenging health services, family relationships and social security, said Claudia Mahler, UN independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, yesterday.

She made the statement as she began a 10-day visit to Bangladesh, from November 7 to 17, to assess elderly persons' human rights.

The United Nations defines an older person as someone who is over 60 years of age.

Till 2019, more than 13 million people living in Bangladesh were aged over 60, representing 8 percent of the country's total population, she further said.

"The 2013 National Policy on Older Persons and the Maintenance of Parents' Act resulted from this fast-growing age group."

"I look forward to learning more about the implementation of the policy and the law," she said.

The independent expert will assess areas of concern, such as social security and protection; age discrimination and ageism; abuse and violence against older persons; their living conditions, including housing arrangements and access to adequate health services; and their meaningful participation in the labour force as well as public and political spaces.

She will also focus on older persons' rights in specific contexts, including emergency situations related to climate change and forced displacement, among other issues.

Mahler is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the government.

She and will hold discussions in Dhaka, Rangpur, and Chattogram with government representatives, UN representatives, civil-society organisations working with older persons, academics and elderly persons.

The UN independent expert will present a full report of her visit to the Human Rights Council in September 2023.