P E S H A W A R : International Day of Old People is being observed today (Sunday) to create awareness about the rights of senior citizens in the society.

A national level research study reveals that human rights of older people are neglected in Pakistan.

The first ever national level research study to better understand the challenges facing older people was done by HelpAge International with support of the British Council.

The research study titled `Moving from the Margins: Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Older Persons in Pakistan` was led by Dr Asghar Zaidi, Professor in International Social Policy at University of Southampton. Qualitative and quantitative data collection was collected from all the four provinces of the country.

The completed report will be launched later this year.

Initial findings of the study show that close to 20 per cent of older persons in Pakistan struggle with their everyday basic needs of food and shelter.

A greater disadvantage is observed for older women as 24 per cent of them struggle in accessing basic needs of food and shelter.

A higher proportion, about 25 per cent, struggle with everyday basic needs for healthcare and medicine.

Women do worse than men in this respect.

According to Prof Zaidi, Pakistan urgently needs to develop clear and comprehensive institutional arrangements for the protection of human rights of older persons, including guaranteed minimum pensions for everyone and specialised and affordable geriatric healthcare provisions.