Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Monday said ensuring the protection, dignity and rights of elderly citizens requires not only legal safeguards but also stronger social awareness and policy attention.
Speaking as the chief guest at a consultation meeting marking International Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Day 2026, the minister said older persons often become “more helpless than children” due to age-related vulnerabilities, making it essential for the state, families and society to work together for their welfare.
“The elderly become more helpless than children in many cases due to age. Therefore, the state, as well as the family and society, must play a responsible role for their welfare,” he said.
The event was organised by the Resource Integration Centre (RIC) at the YWCA auditorium in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
The minister stressed that preventing neglect and abuse of elderly people cannot be achieved through law enforcement alone. Development of social and moral values is equally important, he said.
Highlighting government initiatives for senior citizens, Asaduzzaman said several welfare measures have been introduced in the current fiscal year. Citizens aged 65 and above have been granted free rail travel for the first time, while a 25 per cent fare discount has been introduced on metro rail services. In addition, the allowance for citizens aged 90 and above has been increased to Tk 1,000.
He also invited stakeholders to submit specific proposals for amendments to the Parental Maintenance Act, 2013 and its Rules, 2023, saying the government would seriously consider any legal reforms necessary for the welfare of senior citizens.
Referring to property rights, the minister emphasised the need to increase awareness of usufruct rights to help protect the interests of elderly citizens and ensure their possession and security of assets during their lifetime.
He further said legal assistance services for elderly citizens are being expanded through the Bangladesh Legal Aid Services hotline 16699 and district-level legal aid programmes under the Ministry of Law.
“If legal aid, mediation or shelter is needed in any part of the country, the elderly can avail these services,” he said.
