St Vincent de Paul Society supports a growing number of women over 55.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day on Wednesday March 8, 2023, the St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania is witnessing a concerning trend of a growing demand from women over 55 in need of support and assistance. The Society reports that this demographic has increasingly turned to the Society for help, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on many people’s financial and emotional wellbeing.

Speaking about the desperate situation many women over 55 find themselves in, St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) CEO, Ms Heather Kent, said a 2017 report by the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania found that older women in the state were facing a range of challenges, including financial insecurity, inadequate housing, and social isolation. Significantly, these challenges have escalated since that period six years ago.

“At that time, the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania report called for a range of policy and service changes to address these issues, such as improving access to affordable housing, increasing funding for aged care services, and providing support for women experiencing domestic violence. It is shameful that six years on, very little has changed. Charities like the St Vincent de Paul Society are trying to fill a void that requires broader community and government support to achieve enduring systemic change,” Ms Kent said.

“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women over 55 are more likely than men of the same age to experience poverty and financial hardship. Based on 2020 figures, a conservative estimate suggests that 6,000 women over 55 are living in poverty in Tasmania; and this figure could be higher. This is a significant concern, particularly given that women in this age group are often facing compounding forces as a consequence of low-income careers and the associated issue of inadequate superannuation. We know that it continues to be women taking on primary responsibilities as carers throughout their lifetime – for children and then for aged parents. Many women work part time, often in low paid roles. This naturally impacts on women’s capacity to get by day to day, let alone accumulate the funds to sustain them in later life.

“It is heart-breaking to see the number of women over 55 who are struggling to make ends meet. Many of these women have spent their lives caring for others and contributing to their communities, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they find themselves in need of help. The Society is committed to supporting them in any way we can, whether that’s through providing food, clothing, housing assistance, or vitally important emotional support.

“Research conducted by the National Seniors Australia in 2021 found that women over 55 are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness than any other age group. This is particularly true for those who are single, widowed, or divorced. COVID-19 exacerbated this issue, as many older women were forced to isolate themselves from family and friends to protect their health. Some are finding it challenging to engage fully again while the community changes following COVID.

“Loneliness and isolation can have a profound impact on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing, especially when it is experienced over a prolonged period of time. That’s why we not only provide material assistance, but we also offer a listening ear and a sense of community. We want all women to know that they are not alone and that there are people who care about them.

“The St Vincent de Paul Society is urging the government and the broader community to take action to address the challenges faced by women over 55. This includes increasing the availability of affordable housing targeted towards women, improving access to aged care services, and ensuring that superannuation policies are fair and equitable for women. We must work together as a community to ensure that women are not left behind and that they are able to live with dignity and respect. International Women’s Day is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the important role that women play in our society and to commit to supporting them in meaningful ways,” Ms Kent said.

MEDIA NOTES: The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by a 20-year old Italian student, Frederic Ozanam. Today, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members. Australia has over 60,000 members, dedicated to assisting people in need and combating social injustice. The Society started in Tasmania in 1899 when founders established a Conference in Launceston. From humble beginnings, the Society has grown to 25 Conferences within three Regional Councils across Tasmania. Each Conference undertake a variety of good works, the most recognised being the traditional Vincentian home visits and the annual CEO Sleep-out to draw attention to homelessness.

_{Media contact, Mark Wells: +61 414 015 966 (24-hours)
© St Vincent de Paul Society and MWPA.}