Join the Older Women's Network

There are three categories of members:

1) Individual members aged 55 +

2) Smaller Groups with less than 40 members – national, local, community or voluntary organisations who work for or are concerned with the development and well being of older women.

3) Larger Organisations/NGO's

Annual subscriptions

• Individual members: €25.00
• Smaller Groups (with less than 40 members): €40.00
• Larger Organisations/NGO's: €100.00

If you're not a member, Register here

If you're already a member, you can pay your annual subscription here

Issues facing Older Women in Ireland today

1. INCOME

• Employment: Only 40.0% of women between the working ages of 55 and 64 are employed as compared to 66.5% of men. On average, women earn only 91% of what men earn.
• Dependence on Husband’s Pension: Since most women stayed home with children or worked in the private sector, they do not receive a contributory pension. Many are dependent on their husband’s pension which stops when he dies. This leaves their future financially insecure.
• Government Pensions: Ireland spends less of GDP on Old Age and Survivors Pensions than any other country in the EU 27, only 4.5% as compared to an average 12.0%. The recent TILDA report confirmed that 52% of the population are women over 55. Poverty: The UN/EU identifies Irish older women as having a high risk of poverty.

2. ADULT/CHILDREN DEPENDENCY

• Grandchild Care:. Because of cultural and historical norms, there is a sense of expectation from adult children that their mothers should assist both directly and indirectly to childcare provision. Many of these women are working 40 hours a week. Unfortunately, this can exacerbate problems for older women who are experiencing health problems and stress. It also prevents older women from attending social events and can increase a sense of isolation.
• Dependent Adult Children: With the recession, adult children are continuing to rely on their aging parents for loans and housing. This can put an emotional and financial strain on older people.
• Caregivers: Older women are traditionally caregivers for ageing spouses and extended family members who may have long-term disability or special needs. This goes largely unrecognised by the State despite the provision of a carer’s allowance. Many older women do not benefit under this scheme.

3. EDUCATION

• Educational Level:
• Technology: Late life education provides women with confidence and capacity building, including proficiency with technology. Access to technology is empowering. It provides women with a way to connect with friends and relatives and gives them access to information.
• Discrimination: Employers often regard training older women as a waste of time. Promotions are much more likely to go to younger people.

4. HEALTH

• Mental Health: Women over 75 have the highest rate of mental illnesses. This includes depression and anxiety.
• Cardiovascular Disease: CVD is the biggest cause of death in women; most of those would be preventable. Research is conducted predominantly on men despite symptoms and risk factors being gendered.
• Cancer: 85% of deaths due to breast cancer occur in women over 50. Many women can’t afford to be tested and free testing only goes up to 64. Unfortunately, 64% of deaths from breast cancer occur in women 65+. Free cervical cancer screenings take place every 5 years for women 44-60 and are inaccessible after that. Women and Cancer 2006 reports: ‘Older women are much less likely to receive treatment for cancer than women in younger age groups.’
• Sexual Health: Post-menopausal and post-reproductive health information is often overlooked by research, academic studies, public policy and service provisions.

5. TRANSPORTATION

• Driving: Only 55% of women in their 60’s has a license; only 13% of those over 80 have one. The cost of buying and owning a car is, for many, out of financial reach.
• Public Transportation: The cuts in public transportation have had an adverse effect on the independence of older women in Ireland.

6. SOCIALIZATION

• Loneliness: The proportion of older women living alone increases with age, from 34.3% of women over 65 to 44.3% for women over 75. For people over 85, there are only 45 men per 100 women. Women must choose between continuing to live independently and participating in society.
• Social participation: Limited transportation further ostracises older women and prevent them from participating in voting, working, continuing education, and socializing. Another factor inhibiting civil participation is personal security: petty criminals often target older women.

7. PUBLIC REPRESENTATION

• National Politics: Older women often work at a community level but are severely under-represented at a policy and decision-making level in politics.

8. INDEPENDENCE

• There is no doubt that older women want to enjoy a good quality of life to allow them to age with dignity and independence in their own homes. No one wants to be a burden on the State yet older women are negatively stereotyped and challenged by ageist attitudes: made to feel that they are a drain on already hard pressed resources. The lack of home care packages, increased costs in living (particularly fuel and the ongoing erosion of state pension and ancillary services) are forcing women into poverty and fear for their wellbeing as they age. The lack of a fuel poverty strategy or the implementation of the National Positive Ageing Strategy does little in instill confidence and begs the question "is Ireland a good place to grow old if you are an older woman?"

Help us to challenge these perceptions of ageing and issues on gender by joing OWN and getting your voice heard.

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