ABSTRACT
This paper raises the hypothesis that elderly women are in receipt of a lower level of welfare assistance, commensurate with their needs, than elderly men. It also suggests that if there is an imbalance it may pass unnoticed, partly because in absolute numbers more elderly women than men receive assistance. The paper does not set out to provide a detailed examination of the topic. It seeks only to raise the hypothesis in order to encourage people working in the field to study the position of elderly women carefully and to develop strategies and policies which will reduce any inequalities that are identified.
