A Social Aspect of Policy Implementation Challenges on Elders’ Social Protection

Abstract

Aging is an universal phenomena which present significant implications and challenges for various challenge of them. Enabling the policy practice is the macro-level intervention strategy to ensure the social protection of elders. The effectiveness of these policies is deeply rooted in the socio economic and cultural context of given society. This study aim was to examine the challenges on the implementation of social policies for the elders in Sri Lanka focusing with Asian experiences. The research problem and the research question were ‘What kind of policy practices are implementing for the sake of social protection of elders in their country? And What are the prevailing policy implementation gaps on social protection of the elders? This paper focused on desk research approach with systematic review. The randomly selected two research studies done based on Pakistan and Nepal in related to the policy implementation on elder’s social protection. Both countries face the challenge of political instability affecting policy continuity and effectiveness. Nepal has a constitutionally mandated framework but struggles with practical implementation, while Pakistan's policies are influenced by religious traditions but lack modern comprehensive approaches. Both countries require significant improvements in governmental and administrative capacities. Nepal's challenges include bureaucratic inefficiencies and lack of trained personnel, while Pakistan needs to enhance its administrative capabilities to better implement and sustain programs. Economic vulnerability is a major challenge in both countries. Nepal faces financial constraints and infrastructure deficits, while Pakistan's elderly population struggles with severe economic insecurity. Both nations need sustainable funding solutions and improved service delivery mechanisms. Both countries have historical and cultural influences shaping their social protection policies. Nepal needs to better integrate modern applications with its cultural contexts, while Pakistan should combine religious principles with contemporary social protection frameworks for greater efficacy. The study concludes with recommending the enhancement of prevailing policies, administrative capacities, improving community engagement and long-term sustainability for optimizing the output in both countries to ensure social justice for the elders by empowering the social protection mechanism.