Strengthening Gender-Based Responses to Violence Against Older Women

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On March 20th and 21st, 2018, the Aging Without Violence project held a provincial forum at the Chelsea in Toronto, Ontario. Hosted by OAITH and an intersectoral Advisory Committee, the forum welcomed over 130 representatives from sectors across Ontario that provide services and support to older women. Presentations, conversations and other engagements ignited in-depth perspectives and ideas to strengthen a provincial response to gender-based violence against older women. From trailblazing speakers and audience engagement technology to facilitated group discussions, the forum solicited expertise from a vast demographic of culture, background, and skills and lived experience. Ultimately, the Forum aimed to bring people together who share a collective goal – to end violence against older women.

The forum program was designed to promote intersectoral collaboration within intersectional frameworks. The agenda included an opening night performance by Mixed Company Theatre whose production of "The Golden Cage" examines what it is like to be a senior citizen in a society that perpetuates youth and perpetually denies the fact that people age. The forum featured a keynote address by Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell who will be featured this year in the new Canadian Museum of Human Rights and named as a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her advocacy efforts which were central to the amendment of the Indian Act in 1985.