Equal Opportunities for Older Women
About the initiative Content and framework conditions Organisational background Back
Plattform Frauen 50 plus (Platform for Women of 50 and over)
Communicational details
Address:
c/o GEFAS Steiermark
Mozartgasse 14a
8010 Graz
Austria
Contact persons and their known foreign languages:
Dr.Mag. Rosemarie Kurz, Chairperson, honorary manager, English
Telephone: 0043-316-380-2964
Telefax: 0043-316-380-9212
E-Mail: gefas@seniorweb.at
Internet: www.seniorweb.at
About the initiative
Status of the initiative: The initiative is an initiative aimed at improving equal opportunities for older women through an organisation that pursues objectives which are independent of gender or age.
The initiative is independent and has the following legal form: loose associations
The initiative has the dicisive support of the following organisation:
GEFAS Steiermark
Address:
Mozartgasse 14a
8010 Graz
Österreich
Telephone: 0043-316-380-2964
Telefax: 0043-316-380-9212
E-Mail: gefas@seniorweb.at
Internet: http://www.seniorweb.at
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Content and framework conditions of the project work
The initiative was founded in: 1996
The initiative was founded because of the following reasons:

During the realisation of the EU project "Changing Track at Third Age - Richtungswechsel, Neuorientierung", an employment project for, by, and with older women
Target group(s): Women whose empowerment needs to be strengthened as a result of educational deficits.
Targets: Empowerment of older women so that they learn to speak for themselves and articulate their political demands.
Details of the work done by the initiative:

Older women in the various women's and senior citizens' organisations are addressed and encouraged to speak openly about the themes effecting their lives.
A room and a fixed day are available to the women at URANIA, an edult education institute. Weekly WOMEN'S ROUND TABLES take place here.
The oldr women organise their initiative themselves and select their own topics.
They also visit other women's and senior citizens' organisations and present their views.
Examples of the themes dealt with from Jan.-Apr. 2000:
- Equal opportunities for older women
- Caring better for my health
- Life is worth taking a look at
- Older women within the family unit.
Areas of work of the initiative:
Political participation
Social contacts
Education
Success that the initiative has achieved:

Older women are made aware of their value and status in society.
Their self-awareness is enhanced.
Problems that the initiative has been faced during its work:

- Varying numbers of participants
- Lack of efficient financial support
- Lack of public awareness of the problems and the special needs.
Participation of the target group concerning the conception, planning and implementation of the initiative's work:

The older women organise themselves and make plans within a loose association.
They receive support from the GEFAS in the form of rooms and funds.
Co-operation:

We organise joint events with HERA, Haus Frauenunion GRAZ, and exchange views with OWN, Older Woman Network.
Information:

We are available for people interested in receiving more information on our initiative by phone, post or e-mail.
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Organisational background of the initiative
Staff:

The total number of hours worked for the initiative is approx. 5 hours per week.
Budget:

1000 per year for info-sheets, postage, telephone and expenses
Sources of funding:
Local government funds
Publications or information material available on our initiative:

Supplement in "Falter"
Recommended literature:

"Changing Track at Third Age" - eine Dokumentation des EU Projektes von 1996 (A documentation of the 1996 EU project)
Tips and suggestions for people interested in foundig a similar initiative:

- It is important to co-operate with women's and senior citizens' organisations
- Training courses should be designed specifically for older women.
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2001-04-25