The 2024 Festival theme The [un]Silencing of Older Women recognises the need to understand the unique ways older women experience ageism - and combat the subsequent rises in poverty, homelessness, abuse, violence and murder. It explored the ways some families, communities, services and policies contribute to the silencing of older women; and how we can all be part of the solutions. It identified how a gender lens can enhance elder abuse strategies and a life span approach can help to prevent family violence.

Congress

Thankyou to our presenters for their powerful stories and strategies. Please see videos and written narratives below from:
  • Aunty Dixie Link-Gordon, Aunty in Residence Full Stop Australia
  • Work for change, Anshul
  • The costs of financial hardship, Ms Emme
  • The Babushka Effect, Penny Bingham (here)
  • Speaking the unspeakable, Robyn Westgate, Curtin University (here).

Inequalities and older women 

Dr Catherine Barrett and Professor Kate Burridge presented on inequalities and representations of older women in popular culture. What the video (here) and read the article (here) - read 9500+ times already!!

A Life Stages Approach 

Yumi Lee, Jess Hill and Associate Professor Laura Tarzia presented on a Life Stages approach to Family Violence. 
  • Read the Life Stages document (here) or below and media release (here) 
  • Watch the launch webinar with Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin (here) and read resources document for webinar delegates here
  • Watch the video with Yumi Lee and Jess Hill (here) and Laura Tarzia (here)

Building a world where #OlderWomenCount

Robyn Smith, Sarah Codling and Dilnaz Billimoria presented on #TheBiscuitTin project. Watch their presentation below and
  • Go to #TheBiscuitTin homepage here
  • Read about #TheBiscuitTin facilitator's kit here

A Gender Lens for Elder Abuse

Recording of the launch of the Gender Lens will be shared here soon. Please check out our other resources below:  
  • Download the Gender Lens Elements, Principles and Guidelines doc here
  • Download the Gender Lens Gender Analysis and Planning Tool here
  • Watch the Gender Lens launch event here
  • Watch Embolden presentations by CEOs Debra Nicholl and Geoff Rowe, here​ and Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM here
  • Read our Submission on the Draft National Plan here

Resources from the concurrent sessions

So many people have asked for information on the amazing resources presented during the concurrent sessions. Please share your resources with us here ​
  • Anna Gilbard's report on Elder Abuse Stats in Qld here 
  • Manika Conning's Podcast for There's a Rainbow in My Family here 
  • Sharon Stone, Pathways to Employment for Older Women, OWN NSW here
  • Deb Barndon, Hear our Voices Project, OWN NSW here 
  • Meg Humphrey's Digital Age Inclusion resource here
  • Christine Hall, Recipes for Connection, OWN NSW here

Joyful Rage 

Dr Deborah Wood presented on Joyful Rage and older women. Watch her presentation below and her Older Women Dancing video - and read her article on invisibility from The Guardian.

Media

Thankyou to all the journalists who wrote stories to cover The [un]Silencing of Older Women. Your work helps us to promote change, and we are very grateful to you. 
  • The Guardian (Kate Lyons): Older women allegedly killed by family members a 'silent crisis', experts say (here)
  • ABC Radio Breakfast (Sally Sara): Older women at greater risk of family violence (here) and ABC News (here)
  • The Senior (Rowan Cowley): Desperate call to action: Family homicides of older women on the rise (here)

Partners

​Embolden2024 is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd. We are delighted to announce or first Principal Partners Elder Rights Advocacy, the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Older Women's Network of NSW and ADA Australia.​