Women and Ageing

Women, Ageing and Participation Workshop

Background Information

The Women, Ageing and Participation Workshop took place on the 26 and 27 May 2005 in Brisbane. This workshop was organised by the Australian Government and State and Territory Offices for Women on behalf of the Ministerial Conference on the Status of Women.

The focus of the workshop was to identify and explore barriers and incentives to older women’s social and economic participation. The workshop featured presentations by a number of key researchers, policy makers and services providers.

A range of experts and professionals from academic, business, community and service provision backgrounds attended the workshop on the day, along with representatives from State, Territory and Australian Government departments.

The aim of the workshop was to facilitate discussion amongst participants to outline some of the key issues affecting older women’s social and economic participation in Australia.

Speaker’s Presentations

Dehne Taylor, Manager, Labour Market Participation Unit, Social Policy Division, Fiscal Group, Commonwealth Treasury.

Implications of Ageing for Society and Government - Powerpoint (258kb)

Professor Helen Bartlett, Australasian Centre on Ageing, University of Queensland

Women and Ageing in Australia – Who are older women? - Powerpoint (185kb)

Commissioner Pru Goward, Commissioner Responsible for Age Discrimination, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Age Discrimination and attitudes towards older women in the workforce

Dr Michaela Anderson, Director of Policy and Research, The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia

Older women’s financial decision making in the lead up to retirement - Powerpoint (208kb)

Professor Bettina Cass, Department of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Sydney

Women as Carers - PDF (103kb) | - RTF (75kb)

Bettine Heathcote, Do-Care, Wesley Mission, Western Australia

Maintaining Independence: Infrastructure and Supports for Older Women - PDF (45kb) | - RTF (45kb)

Dr Jeni Warbuton, Senior Research Fellow, Australasian Centre on Ageing, University of Queensland

Social Inclusion – Community Participation of Older Women - Powerpoint (160kb)

Consultations with Rural Women

Report on consultations with rural women prepared by the National Rural Women's Coalition - PDF (55kb) | RTF (423kb)