A symposium facilitated by Ellen Fanning
Wednesday 28 November, 9:45 - 12:15pm
Auditorium, NSW Teachers Federation
37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills NSW
Seniors Rights Service, Sydney Australia
The compounding effects of ageism and sexism are severely impacting the lives of older women in Australia. Older women are the fastest growing demographic experiencing homelessness; women retire with just 47% of the superannuation of their male counterparts and earn $700,000 less over their working lives; according to helplines women are 70% of those reporting elder abuse.
The upcoming symposium Women, Ageing and Disadvantage is an opportunity to explore these complex issues, learn what is happening, and discuss effective solutions and responses to change the dynamic. Respected journalist Ellen Fanning will facilitate discussions throughout the two forums of the symposium.
Susan Ryan AO, former Age Discrimination Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission said, "Older women suffer from an accumulation of lifelong discrimination in jobs and pay. They pre-date maternity leave and funded childcare and have often spent years without income caring for older relatives or children. Without strong government intervention to provide affordable housing and income security they will spend their old age in poverty."
CEO of Seniors Rights Service Russell Westacott said, "Our organisation hosted the 5th National Elder Abuse Conference in Sydney in February 2018. It was disheartening and alarming to hear speaker after speaker present increasingly negative data and case studies on older women. We want to continue that conversation through this event and ensure that the rights of older women receives the focus it deserves."
The event will also be webcast live from 9:45am AEDT.
