In Bangladesh, the then government enacted the Maintenance of Parents Act in 2013 to ensure the upkeep of parents. Although the law has remained effective on paper for years, it has seen little practical implementation.
Even years after its enactment, many people are still unaware of the legislation, leaving numerous elderly parents to live in financial and social insecurity. Stakeholders say broader publicity and effective enforcement could better safeguard the rights of senior citizens.
Under the Parents’ Maintenance Act, 2013, every capable child is legally bound to ensure the maintenance of his or her parents. The law defines maintenance as including food, clothing, medical care, shelter, and necessary caregiving services. If there are multiple children, all are jointly responsible for fulfilling this obligation.
The law further states that even if parents do not live with their children, they must still be supported according to the children’s financial capacity. If any child fails or refuses to provide maintenance, a complaint can be filed with the relevant court.
Failure to provide parental maintenance is a punishable offence under the law. If convicted, an offender may face a maximum fine of $100,000 and, in default of payment, up to three months in prison.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Md Motahar Hossain Saju said that, in view of reality, the punitive provisions of the law should be strengthened. He said that unless punishment is increased, many people will not take the law seriously.
A 60-year-old homemaker, Muslima Ahmed, said she regularly reads newspapers and watches television news. “I did not know that such a law existed in our country. If awareness is increased, it will create caution among people,” she said.
Selina Akhtar, a law lecturer at a private university, told Bangla Tribune that due to the erosion of family values and lack of awareness about the law, many elderly parents are being deprived of their rightful entitlements. She said a child’s responsibility toward parents is not only moral and religious but also a legal obligation. She stressed the need for widespread public awareness to ensure dignity and security for elderly citizens.
Stakeholders recommend strengthening awareness campaigns through television, radio, newspapers, and social media, as well as outreach at union councils, municipalities, and city corporations. They also call for discussions in schools and colleges on family responsibilities and elderly rights, awareness messages in religious institutions, and local-level seminars.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Md Motahar Hossain Saju said the law was enacted by the then Awami League government following a specific incident. He added that Section 9 of the law provides for the formulation of rules. He also noted that the law covers not only financial support but also the right of parents to companionship, meaning children are legally obligated to maintain contact and provide company, not just financial assistance.
Mohammad Adnan Yazdani, executive member of the human rights organisation Rise for Rights Foundation and a Supreme Court lawyer, said there is a strong need to raise awareness about the Parents’ Maintenance Act. He noted that many people in Bangladesh remain unaware that children have a legal obligation to support their parents and that such a law exists. As a result, many elderly parents suffer neglect, disregard, and financial insecurity without knowing their legal rights.
He said one key reason is the lack of an effective institutional framework for public legal education. “In schools and colleges, subjects such as physical education, agriculture, science, and social science are taught, but there is no basic introduction to essential laws that are directly relevant to civic life. Yet issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, consumer rights, cybercrime, and parental maintenance are closely linked to everyday life,” he said.
Lawyer Md Motahar Hossain Saju also emphasized the need for widespread publicity. He suggested nationwide awareness campaigns through public announcements, mosque sermons, and billboards. He also recommended monitoring implementation through bodies such as the Law Commission or the Department of Social Services.
Lawyer Mohammad Adnan Yazdani said legislation alone is not enough; public awareness is equally important. He said extensive campaigns through media, educational institutions, local government bodies, and both public and private initiatives would help people better understand their rights and responsibilities. He also stressed that introducing basic legal education at secondary and higher secondary levels should be considered in the long term, arguing that legally aware citizens are the foundation of the rule of law.