HC Deb 19 November 2001 vol 375 cc1-2W
Ms Atherton

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken to tackle discrimination against older people. [14955]

Clare Short

My Department's aim is the elimination of poverty in poorer countries. Discrimination and marginalisation is frequently a cause of poverty. We are seeking to ensure that poor people are consulted on policies and decisions that affect them. We are using participatory methods to understand people's perception of their rights and the obstacles they face in accessing entitlements. By adopting such rights approaches, we are promoting social justice, including tackling discrimination against older people.

We are supporting the African Union's leadership in promoting and guiding national policies on ageing in their membership, as well as assisting the policy development process in the preparations for the Second World Assembly on Ageing next spring.