Free Women's Day event at UBC celebrates older women and highlights need for policy changes

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL) is hosting an event this morning to celebrate International Women’s Day, and to draw attention to the inequalities women face in society as they age.

The “Women and Aging: Stories About the Widening Gender Gap” event will bring together policy experts with members to the community to share experiences and discuss strategies for positive change.

“Older women are the backbone of our communities—as mothers, spouses, grandmothers, caregivers, and volunteers—yet they face significant challenges to quality of life,” said Krista James, National Director of the CCEL. “We need to engage with older women so we can develop law reform and policy solutions that address the pressing barriers to their well-being.”

Today’s event is the third phase of the CCEL’s Older Women’s Dialogue Project, a yearlong community research project undertaken in collaboration with the West Coast LEAF. The Project aims to inform further work to enhance the quality of life of older women by asking them what they need to improve their lives.

Over the past five months, the CCEL has spoken with over 350 women across the Lower Mainland about issues such as discrimination, housing and poverty, personal safety and freedom from abuse, and immigration. The feedback gathered in the consultations will be presented today in the form of dramatic narratives performed by older women actors. Following each narrative, academic and social policy experts will provide analysis, identifying systemic issues, and audience members will be invited to engage in discussion about the issues.

The free, public event is taking place at UBC Robson Theatre in downtown Vancouver, and will run from 9:30am until noon. The event is being hosted by Ellen Woodsworth, former Vancouver City Councillor, and Co-chair of the Women Transforming Cities project. Registration available on site.