Our team aims to:
– combat ageism, particularly gendered ageism.
– empower women over 40s in their work place, provide psychological support and assist them in their personal development.
– promote social awareness on matters regarding ageism and gender based discrimination.
Our actions include:
– awareness campaigns
– empowerment events and actions aiming at the development and networking of women above 40
– a series of programs that will increase the mental, spiritual and physical health of our members.
What is ageism?
As people age, they face everyday the challenge οf ageism.
“Ageism is the stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age.” World Health Organisation
It is a widespread and many times well hidden practice which:
– limits their employment possibilities and their accessibility to social services
– creates stereotypes which in turn are reproduced and promoted by the media
– causes the marginalization and isolation of people of an older age into communities exclusive to their age group.
Based on data presented by the European Social Research, ageism is the most common prejudice. Unfortunately, it is socially acceptable to a great degree and is not confronted as forcefully as racial and gender discrimination.
Why women only?
Ageism is more widespread than sexism – can you imagine what a person who faces both types of discrimination has to put up with?
Women over 40 years of age face the consequences of both these discriminations in every aspect of their lives including the workplace, in employability, in accessibility to pensions and other health services, insurance and basic commodities. Even though the poverty gender gap is not very big during the years of employability, it increases from the age of 65 and even more after 75. There are many factors that contribute to this situation among which is the gender wage Gap, the different retirement ages for men and women, and the fact that statistically, women outlive men , and spend the rest of their lives alone. Additionally, women refugees and from ethnic minorities even more vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion.
