Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh

ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh Serajul Karim * Abstract The State Constitution of the People s Republic of Bangladesh consisting or having 153 chapters where chapter 9,10,18,28,29 etc. are directly linked with woman s rights & security. WHO stated that, in almost every country, the proportion of people aged over 60 years is growing faster than any other age group, as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates. Older Women means those over 60 years or more. The United Nations defines older people as those 60 years of age and over, and the oldest of the old are those over 80 years of age. The `National Policy on Older Persons, 2014, also focused on it. Rights and Security means safety and security measures for ensuring a comfortable hazardless happy and peaceful life. In the study 87% urban older women and 91% rural older women were engaged with noneconomic and non-evaluated household activities, have no influences on establishing of rights and security of older women. In the study 65% and 83% middle and lower or unclassified peoples living non-comfortable or very non-comfortable house creating barriers against rights and security of urban and rural older women in the higher classed dominated living and livelihood situation. The food management, clothing management, medical facilities and Socioeconomic Security were in average found better in the urban than in the rural areas on establishing of rights and security of older women in Bangladesh. It can be hoped that with effective implementation of national and international rules and regulations, international decisions and declarations in place we will be able to improve the prevailing situations towards establishing rights and security for older women i.e. senior citizens. Keywords : The National Policy on Older Persons 2014, State Constituent and Legal Rights and Security of Older Women, Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women with improvement. * Director (Rtd), Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh, Former National Consultant of USAID/UNDP and others.

228 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 Introduction In the present study our consideration is only on our older women not on older men. A separate study may be conducted on prevailing rights and security of older men living in Bangladesh. There are about 16 crores of peoples living in Bangladesh where a remarkable numbers are older women which may be near about 5% of the total population according to the available data and it s increasing day by day. There is no reliable data on percentage of older men and women, I think within 5% mentioned above 2.25% may be men and 2.75% in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh the older women are in a very problematic situations concerned with justified legal human rights and security for them. Many studies already being done on child and common women but very little work are being done on the older women in Bangladesh. There are many rules, regulations and laws on child and women in common but there is no approved rules, regulations and law specifically on the women to protect their human rights and security in place. Many nationally and internationally approved and agreed legal basis are in existence for women including these older women but not in reality. The Constitution of the People s Republic of Bangladesh consisting or having 153 chapters where chapter 9,10,18,28,29 etc. are directly linked with woman s rights and security and chapter 14,15,19,21,27,31 are indirectly linked with woman s rights and security. The Government of the People s Republic of Bangladesh approved The National Policy on Older Peoples, 2014 in Bangladesh towards establishing their legal justified human rights and security. In the above mentioned national policy on older people, 2014 these older women are being mentioned as senior citizens. Solvent living and livelihood based on legal income usually increases or improves confidence level providing a positive sensation on her mind which finally be received by the super power unit soul creating happy and peaceful feeling towards successful happy life (Serajul Karim 2009). There are some older women who have been getting `boisko bhata as a government financial support to the older peoples i.e. senior citizens in Bangladesh, will be included in future. Backgrounds of Rights and Security There may be many dreams for improving rights and security of urban and rural older women in Bangladesh, but our concern is how these are being implemented in prevailing situation. The prevailing situations will lead us to formulate policies, rules and laws, steps and programs in place for establishing legal justified rights and security of urban and rural older women living in Bangladesh. Concepts of Older Women, Rights and security The concept of Older Women means the women who are over 60 years or more. The United Nations defines older people as those 60 years of age and over, and the oldest of the old are those over 80 years of age. The experience of old age varies greatly between men and women and may

Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh 229 be very different for someone in their 60 s versus another person in his or her 80 s. So older women mean those 60 years of age and over. Rights and Security means availability or supply or presence of one s necessary quantity and quality inputs and ensuring of personal or social or state concerned safety and security measures for ensuring a comfortable hazardless happy and peaceful life, and here these are concerned with older woman meaning more than 60 years of age. Job and personal security is not strengthened based on Govt. and political supports through improvement and formulation of laws or regulations in favor of woman development issues. Social and religious norms or values are not in favor of woman development (Serajul Karim 08). Government Policies and International plan or agreements The Government of the People s Republic of Bangladesh passed the National Policy on Older Persons, 2014 towards formulating necessary rules or regulations and laws to ensure justified essential human rights and security for older citizen where these older women will be able to enjoy their rights and security. Then the urban and rural older women living in Bangladesh will be provided essential justified rights and security by the government. The Government of Bangladesh has an interest on women empowerment like urban and rural older women. The Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging emphasized both the humanitarian and developmental aspects of aging. The recommendations of the Plan of Action are applicable to women and men with a view to providing them with protection and care, and ensuring their involvement and participation in social life and development. However, the Plan of Action recognizes a number of specific areas of concern for elderly women since their longer life expectancy frequently mean an old age aggravated by economic need and isolation for both unmarried women and widows, possibly with little or no prospect of paid employment. The UN report identifies that violence against older women in particular closely linked with disempowerment and discrimination, violence often goes unreported and under-documented. There are some older women who have been getting `boisko bhata as a government financial support (the older peoples means senior citizens in Bangladesh, will be included in future). The Objectives of the study are: (01) To ascertain the prevailing rights and security of urban older women of Adabor area in Dhaka city towards assessing rights and security of about 40 million urban peoples living in 522 cities/towns in Bangladesh. (02) To know prevailing rights and security situations of rural older women of Gazipur towards assessing rights and security of about 120 million rural peoples living in 88 thousand villages in Bangladesh. Methodology of the study A. Study design The study designed focusing on prevailing rights and security of selected 100 older women living within Adabor area in Dhaka city as well as 100 selected older women from Brahman Baria

230 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 district and 100 selected older women from Gazipur district based on socio-economic classes of older women for collecting quantitative and qualitative data with necessary formats that is being followed by the Woman development Forum, Bangladesh towards formulating decisions for future improvement on the issue. There are some older women who have been getting `boisko bhata as a government financial support (the older peoples means senior citizens in Bangladesh, will be included in future). B. Study areas and population Area-01: The selected study area were Adabor in Dhaka City where higher, middle and lower classed urban older women available were visited and interviewed. In total 100 urban older women of 60 years of age or more being selected as desired population where 20% from higher class, 35% from middle class and 45% from lower class for the concerned study. They were being interviewed as case study purpose surveyed using an effective questionnaire. Area-02: The selected study area were 10 villages from 2 unions like Pubail of Kaligonj Upazila and Basan of Sadar Upazila under Gazipur district where higher, middle and lower class urban older women available were visited and interviewed. In total 100 rural older women of 60 years of age or more being selected as representative for the total rural population of Bangladesh. They were being interviewed as case study purpose or surveyed using a questionnaire. Area-03: The selected study area were 10 villages from 2 unions like Birgaon and Krishnanagar of Nabinagar Upazila under Brahman Baria district where higher, middle and lower classed urban older women available were visited and interviewed. In total 100 rural older women of 60 years aged or more being selected as representative for the total rural population of Bangladesh. They were being interviewed as case study purpose or using a questionnaire. C. Sampling method and instrument Simple Random Sampling methods were being used or followed and data were being collected from Area-01 in Dhaka city, Area-02 in Gazipur district and Area-03 in Brahman Baria district through interview of selected urban and rural older women. Instruments were some prescribed formats and techniques that are being followed by the Woman development-rights and security Forum, Bangladesh for collecting quantitative and qualitative information connected with prevailing rights and security of urban and rural older women concerned with purposeful well structured simple questionnaires. D. Basis for Selection of Sample The collected data of 100 urban older women from urban study Area-01 and that of 100 rural older women from rural study Area-02 and data of 100 rural older women from rural study Area- 03 covering selected older women of 20% from higher class, 35% from middle class and 45% from lower class were being edited, compiled and analyzed carefully. All the collected data on human rights and security of rural older women analyzed carefully were being entered into compiled formats, draw necessary bar diagrams and pi-chart for better understanding of situations. It`s too hard to work with women issues in Bangladesh.

Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh 231 Analysis of Results of the Study The Prevailing Rights and Security situation of 100 urban older women of Adabor in Dhaka city i.e. study Area-01, 100 rural older women under Gazipur district i.e.study Area-02 and 100 rural older women under Brahman Baria district in Bangladesh were studied while results were being discussed, analyzed and decisions are being taken for formulating future planning for establishing desired justified legal rights and security of urban and rural older women in Bangladesh. At the same time related necessary important data and information were being collected from different available sources from within and outside of Bangladesh. Study on Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women After conducting an effective study all the collected data being analyzed carefully to get research findings or results and decisions. Collected results are discussed to get expected research findings for achieving specified objectives towards future development of rights and security situation of urban older women in urban areas Dhaka city i.e. study Area-01, rural older women in Gazipur i.e. study Area-02 and in Brahman Baria districts i.e. study Area-03 finally representing the total population of Bangladesh. Through present study prevailing constraints against rights and security are in hand towards future prospective development through future planning and taking steps towards ensuring better situation of human rights and security of older women living in Dhaka city and finally in Bangladesh. The Rights and Security situation of 100 urban older women in Dhaka city i.e. study Area-01 is a representative of about 40 millions peoples living in/at 522 cities/town i.e. in urban areas. The Rights and Security situation of 100 rural older women from 10 villages under Gaziopur i.e. study Area-02 and 100 rural older women from 10 villages under Brahman Baria districts finally this 200 rural older women is a representative of about 120 millions peoples living in 88 thousands village areas in Bangladesh. Analysis of the Study on Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women The prevailing rights and security situations are the back force towards formulating policies, rules, laws for future planning for establishing desired justified legal right and security of urban and rural older women in Bangladesh. Necessary available information and collected data from studies compiled in related formats for analysis towards formulating decision on different issues like Age, Education, Occupation, Status, Residence, Securities, Needs etc. The Government of people`s Republic of Bangladesh has been taking different positive steps towards establishing rights and security of older men and women like the national policy on older peoples where older women are being focused dominantly. There are some older women who have been getting `boisko bhata as a government financial support (the older people means senior citizens in Bangladesh, will be included in future).

232 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 A. Age of the Older Women In the present study collected Data and information are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed towards decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailing situations. After results discussion decisions are setup at the bottom on the age of the respondents. (01) Age of 100 respondents in urban area (02) Age of 200 respondent in rural area Age Group Frequency Percent 60+ 62 62% 65+ 29 29% 70+ 4 4% 75+ 3 3% 80+ 1 1% 85+ 1 1% Total 100 100% Age Group Frequency Percent 60+ 108 54% 65+ 53 26.5% 70+ 28 14% 75+ 10 5% 80+ 1 0.5% 85+ 0 0% Total 200 100% In the present field study of 100 urban older women from Area-01 i.e.adabor in Dhaka city were being interviewed where respondents were 60-64 years old was 62%, 65-69 years old was 29%, 70-74 years old was 4%, 75-79 years old was 3%, 80-84 years old was 1%, 85-89 years old was 1%, 90-94 years old was 0%, 95-99 years old was 0% in numbers. Respondents were moderately conscious about their rights and security. In the present field study of 100 rural older women from Area-02 i.e. from 10 vilages of 2 unions under Gazipur district and 100 rural older women from Area-03 i.e. from 10 villages of 2 unions under Brahman Baria district where respondences for the study purpose. In total 200 rural older women in average respondents 60-64 years old was 54%, 65-69 years old was 26.5%, 70-74 years old was 14%, 75-79 years old was 5%, 80-84 years old was 0.5%, 85-89 years old was 0%, 90-94 years old was 0% and 95-99 years old was 0% in numbers. Respondents were less conscious about their rights and security in comparison to urban peoples. These drive to a decision that expected maximum effective life time is 70 years usually in place. B. Education level of Older Women In the present study collected Data and information are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed for decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailnng situations. After results discussion decisions are setup at the bottom on the education lebel of the respondents i.e. older women. The educational status of older women plays an important role towards establishing of rights and securty which were being included in the study. Educational status of respondences plays important role for ensuring rights and security.

Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh 233 (01) Education level in urban area (01) Education lebel in rural area Education Lebel Frequency Percent Education Lebel Frequency Percent Iliterate 48 48% Iliterate 113 56.5% Primary 27 27% Primary 60 30% Secondary 12 12% Secondary 21 10.5% Higher secondary 5 5% Higher secondary 5 2.5% Graduation 4 4% Graduation 1 0.5% Higher 4 4% Higher 0 0% Total 100 100% Total 200 100% The level of education have remarkable influences on understanding legal human rights and security in place. In the present study 100 urban older women from Adabor area in Dhaka city i.e. study Area-01 were being interviewed where illiteracy level was 48%, primary level was 27%, secondary level was 12%, higher secondary level was 5%, graduation level was 4%, and higher education level frequency was 4% in numbers in place. In the present study 100 rural older women from Gazipur district i.e. study Area-02 and 100 rural older women from Brahman Baria district i.e. study Area-03 were being interviewed for the study purpose. In total 200 rural older women respondences in everage illiterate level was 56.5%, primary level was 30%, secondary level was 10.5%, higher secondary level was 2.5%, graduation level was 0.5%, and higher education level was 0% in numbers in place. This drives to a decision that 48% and 56.5% respondents were illiterate, 27% and 30% primary level, 12% and 21% secondary level, 5% and 5% higher secondary level, 4% and 1% graduation level, 4% and 0% higher level, and graduate and higher educated were very insignificant. C. Occupational Status of Older Women In the present study collected Data and information are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed towards decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailing situations. After results discussion decisions are setup at the bottom on the occupational status of the respondents i.e. older women. (01) Occupational Status of 100 respondents in urban area (02) Occupational status of 200 respondents in rural area Occupation status Frequency Percent Occupation status Frequency Percent Household 87 87% Household 182 91% Employees 5 5% Employees 1 0.5% Mini Sales Mini Sales 3 3% business business 7 3.5% Agriculture 2 2% Agriculture 7 3.5% Others 3 3% Others 3 1.5% Total 100 100% Total 200 100%

234 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 The types of occupation have a remarkable influences on understanding and establishing legal human rights and security in place. In the present study 100 urban older women from study Area- 01 were being interviewed where household was 87 %, employee was 5%, mini sales business 3%, agriculture 2%, and others was 3% in numbers in place of study areas. In the present study 100 rural older women from study Area-02 and 100 rural older women from study Area-03 were being interviewed where in average household was 91%, employee 0.5%, agriculture was 3.5%, mini sales business was 3.5%, and others was 1.5% in numbers in place. This leads us to a decision that in study Area-01 respondents was 87% urban older women, in study Area-02 and study Area-03 in average 91% rural older women were engaged with noneconomic and non-evaluated household activities have no influences on these issues. D. Socio-Economic Status of Older Women In the present study collected Data and information which are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed towards decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailing situations. In Socio-Economic higher-class people means who have income and wealth more than the requirement to run his normal livings, middle-class people means who have income and wealth just upto the requirement to run his normal livings, and lower-class people who have income and wealth less than the requirement to run his normal livings. This is a simple classification of higher, middle and lower classed peoples, even there are various criteria s for classifying these groups of peoples living in our society. In the social stratification peoples from higher class will have maximum influences, peoples from middle class will have moderate influences and peoples from lower class will have less influences on different issues related to rights and security in the society. (01) Socio-economic status of respondents in urban area (02) Socio-economic status of respondents in urban area Socio-economic status Frequency Percent Socio-economic status Frequency Percent Higherclass 15 15% Higherclass 10 5% Midleclass 35 35% Midleclass 90 45% Lowerclass 37 37% Lowerclass 87 43.5% Unclassified poor 13 13% Unclassifiedpoor 13 6.5% Others 0 0% Others 0 0% Total 100 100 % Total 200 100% The Socio-economic status or classes have a remarkable influences on understanding and establishing legal human rights and security in place. In the present study 100 urban older women from study Area-01 were being interviewed where higher class was 15%, middle class was 35%,, lower class was 37%, unclassified very poor was 13%, and others 0% in numbers in place. In the study 100 rural older women from Area-02 and 100 rural older women from study Area-03 were being interviewed where in average higher class was 5%, middle class was 45%, lower class was 43.5%, unclassified very poor was 6.5% in numbers, and others in numbers in place.

Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh 235 The study indicated that the 37% and 43.5% lower class, 35% and 45% middle class, and unclassified 13% and 6.5% in places have very little influences even more in numbers on establishing of rights and security of older women in the higher classed dominated living and livelihood situation. E. Residence category of Older Women In the present study collected Data and information are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed towards decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailing situations. After results discussion decisions are setup at the bottom on the residence category. (01) Residence Category of 100 respondents in urban area (02) Residence Category of 100 respondents in urban area Living status Frequency Percent Living status Frequency Percent Building House 35 35% Building House 17 8.5% Tinshed House 55 55% Tinshed House 147 73.5% Bamboomade 5 5% Bamboomade 28 14% Other s House 4 4% Other s House 6 3% Polyshed House 1 1% Roadside Polyshed House 2 1% Total 100 100% Total 200 100% The residence category of the respondents indicate the status of establishing legal human rights and security in place. Residence categories as well as the ownership of residences posses a remarkable influences on establishing rights and security on urban and rural older women in Bangladesh. In the present study 100 urban older women study Area-01 were being interviewed where their who were living in own or rented comfortable building house was 35.%, living in own or rented non-comfortable tinshed house was 55%, living in own or rented more noncomfortable bamboo made house was 5.0%, living in more noncomfortable other s house was 4%, and living in very noncomfortable roadside polished house was 1% in numbers in place. In the present study 100 rural older women from study Area-02 and 100 rural older women were being interviewed where in everage living in own or rented comfortable building house was 8.5%, living in own or rented noncomfortable tinshed house was 73.5%, living in own or rented more noncomfortable bamboo made house was 14%, living in more noncomfortable other s house was 3 %, and very noncomfortable roadside polished house was 1% in numbers in place. This indicated that the 65% and 83% middle and lower or unclassified peoples living noncomfortable or very noncomfortable house creating barriers against rights and security of urban and rural older women in the higher classed dominated living and livelihood situation. F. Food & Clothing, Medical Facilities and Security of Older Women In the present study collected Data and information are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed towards decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailing situations. After results discussion decisions are setup at the bottom on the food & clothing

236 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 management, medical facilities and socio-economic security of the respondents i.e. older women. There are some older women who has been getting `boisko bhata as a government financial support the older peoples means senior citizens in Bangladesh, will be included in future. This may be one of the positive factors related to food & clothing, medical facilities & security of older women in place living in Bangladesh. 01) Food & Clothing, Medical Facilities and Security of Urban Older Women Status Food Clothing & Bed Medical Personal Security Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Sufficient 46 46.0 42 42.0 25 25.0 35 35.0 Insufficient 35 35.0 37 37.0 43 43.0 40 40.0 Very 19 19.0 21 21.0 32 32.0 25 25.0 Insufficient Others - - - - - - - - Total 100 100.0 100 100.0 100 100.0 100 100.0 (02) Food & Clothing, Medical Facilities and Security of Rural Older Women Status Food Clothing & Bed Medical Personal Security Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Frequency % Sufficient 22 11 19 9.5 14 7 24 12 Insufficient 93 46.5 111 55.5 138 69 70 35 Very 85 42.5 70 35 48 24 106 53 Insufficient Others - - - - - - - Total 200 100 200 100 200 100 200 100 The status of food management, clothing management and medical facilities of the respondents indicate the status of establishing legal human rights and security in place. In the present study 100 urban older women from study Area-01 were being interviewed on food management, clothing management, medical facilities and Socio-economic Security where 46%, 42%, 25%, and 35% in numbers respectively were happy i.e. sufficient; 35%, 37%, 43%, and 40% in numbers respectively were unhappy i.e. insufficient; finally 19%, 21%, 32%, and 25% in numbers respectively were very unhappy i.e. risk in place of selected urban and rural areas in Bangladesh. In the present study 100 rural older women from study Area-02 and 100 rural older women were being interviewed on food & clothing management, medical facilities and Socioeconomic Security where in average 11%, 9.5%, 7%, and 12% respectively were happy i.e. sufficient; 46.5%, 55.5%, 69%, and 35% in numbers were unhappy i.e. insufficient; 42.5%, 35%, 24%, and 53% in numbers respectively were very unhappy. These food management, clothing management, medical facilities and Socio-economic Security were in average found better in the urban than in the rural areas on establishing of rights and security of older in Bangladesh.

Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh 237 G. Decision making and financial management by Older Women In the present study collected Data and information are compiled, grouped, analyzed and discussed towards decision making for making future planning to improve the prevailing situations. After results discussion decisions are setup at the bottom on the decision making and financial management of the respondents i.e. older women. (01) Decision Making and Financial (02) Decision Making and Financial Management of Urban Older Women Management of Rural Older Women Status Decision Finance Status Decision Finance Lead 7(7%) 8(8%) Lead 18(9%) 16(8%) Participate 30 (30%) 22(22%) Participate 68 (34%) 54(27%) Balance 13(13%) 15(15%) Balance 20(10%) 30(15%) Follow 50(50%) 55(55%) Follow 94(47%) 100(50%) Total 100(100%) 100(100%) Total 200(100%) 200(100%) The status of decision making, and financial management posses influences on establishing legal human rights and security in place. In the present study 100 urban older women from our study Area-01 were being interviewed on decision making and financial management where 7% and 8% were leading; 30% and 22% were participating; 13% and 15% were balancing; and 50% and 55% were follower like characteristics i.e. no identical functioning. In the present study 100 rural older women from study Area-02 and 100 rural older women from study Area-03 were being interviewed on decision making and financial management where 9% and 8% respectively were leading; 34% and 27% respectively were participating; 10% and 15% were balancing; 47% and 50% were follower like characteristics i.e. no identical functioning in place of study areas. These status indicated that 93% & 92% urban and 91% & 92% rural older women having a very little control over decision making and financial management to influence on establishing of rights and security of older women in the higher classed dominated living and livelihood situation in Bangladesh.

238 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 Conclusion A separate study may be conducted on prevailing rights and security of older men living in Bangladesh. There are about 16 crores of peoples living in Bangladesh where a remarkable numbers are older women which may be near about 5% of the total population according to the available data and it s being increasing day by day. There is a remarkable shortage of reliable field research based data on percentage of older men and women in our hand. I think within above mentioned 5% it may be 2.25% may be older men and 2.75% older women living in Bangladesh. I have been working to establish woman rights and security in place for the last 30 years or more and conducted many research for presenting papers, wrote a books like `Nari Unnayan-Athikar O Nirapattar Kowshalpatra which being on same of line with the national policy on woman, 2014. I myself empowered 1500 deprived women in 2011-2013 as a consultant of USAID successfully. If we identify different prevailing constrains and if we can make an effective activity plan through which justified rights and security may be ensured towards better future situation. Finally through effective implementing strategies and steps human rights and security situation of urban and rural older women in Bangladesh will be ensured in near future towards better living of them. If we can assess effectively all prevailing threats and constrains related to education, occupation and socio-economic stages and can implement strategic plan with effective interventions we will be able improve the situation for establishing urban and rural older women s rights and security in place in Bangladesh. There are some older women who has been getting `boisko bhata as a government financial support the older peoples means senior citizens in Bangladesh, will be included in future. This may be one of the positive factors related to food & clothing, medical facilities & security of older women in place living in Bangladesh. If we can assess effectively all prevailing threats and constrains related to personal, social and state security in all stages and can implement strategic plan with effective interventions we will be able improve the situation for establishing urban and rural older women s rights and security in place in Bangladesh. The groups findings in the present study are- (1) Expected maximum effective life time is 70 years usually in place; (2) Educational status respondents are 48% and 56.5% illiterate, 27% and 30% primary level, 12% and 21% secondary level, 5% and 5% higher secondary level, 4% and 1% graduation level, 4% and 0% higher level; (3) In the study 87% urban older women and in average 91% rural older women were engaged with noneconomic and non-evaluated household activities; (4) In socio-economic classification 37% and 43.5% lower class, 35% and 45% middle class, and unclassified 13% and 6.5% in places have very little influences on establishing of rights and security; (5) In living situation 65% and 83% middle and lower or unclassified peoples living non-comfortable or very noncomfortable house against establishing against rights and security; (6) The food & clothing management, medical facilities and Socio-economic Security found better in urban than in rural areas; and (7) In decision and financial management 93% & 92% urban and 91% & 92% rural older women having a very little control over decision making and financial management to influence on

Prevailing Rights and Security of Older Women in Bangladesh 239 establishing of rights and security of older women in the higher classed dominated living and livelihood situation in Bangladesh. It can be hoped that with effective implementation of national and international rules & regulations, international decisions & declarations in place we will be able improve the prevailing situations towards establishing human rights and security for older women i.e. senior citizens. There is a proverb that `old is gold which indicates the senior experienced citizens of our beloved Bangladesh who can contribute a lot with their intellectuality for improving situation in the family level, social level and in the national level even in the international level. Finally it can be hoped that with effective implementation of national and international rules & regulations, international decisions & declarations in place we will be able improve the prevailing situations to establish rights and security of urban and rural older women towards a peaceful secured convenient Bangladesh.

240 ASA University Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, July December, 2015 References Based on United Nations (1983) Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging (New York: United Nations). Unnayan Prekkhapate Bangladesh (Bangladesh in Development Context)/Serajul Karim, 2000. Somasti Unnayan O Somasti Songathan (Community Development and Community Organization)/ Mohammad Habibur Rahman, 2001. Human Resource Development For Quality Management/ Md. Serajul Karim, 2008. Aging: Concepts and Controversies, Moody, H.R., (2010), World Bank (2011), World Development Indicators database. ` Nari Unnayan-Audhiker O Nirapattar Kaoshalpatra ( Stretegies of Women Development-rights and Security) / Serajul Karim, 2012. Study on Rights and Security of Women Workers in a Rice Mill/ Serajul Karim & Sanjida Rahman,2012 Human Rights and Security of Older Women in Dhaka City/ Snigdha Sumona Hoque, Serajul Karim and M. aman ullah, 2013 Human Rights and Security of Rural Older Women in Gazipur/ M. Aman ullah, Serajul karim and Snigdha Sumona Hoque, 2013 Women Rights and Security in Family Environment in Dhaka City / Serajul Karim, Sanjida Rahman and Farjana Sultana Lopa, 2013 Strategies and Steps Towards Successful Happy Life/ Serajul Karim. 2008. `Rajnoitic Sangskritik Somriddhir Pothe (On the way to Political-Cultural Development)/ Serajul Karim, 2011. `Gonotantrik Rastrabebosthai Nagorik Athikar-Prottasa o Prapti (Desire and Reality in The Democratic State System)/ Serajul Karim, 2012. `Nari Unnayan Athikar O Nirapattar Kousolpatra ( Strategies of Women Development: Rights and Security)/ Serajul Karim, 2012.