OWN’s Guiding Principles provide older women with a blueprint for growing old with dignity and wellbeing, consistent with the concepts of positive and healthy ageing.
They were developed through an on-going consultative process involving all NSW groups.
The Guiding Principles are used by members as a template when representing the Older Women’s Network at public meetings and forums.
The following Guiding Principles recognise the diversity of older women, while expressing the core values and beliefs of OWN members.
Recognition of older women
Older women have the right to be valued and recognised for their contribution to the political, social and cultural areas of life.
Older women should have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of decision-making that could affect their wellbeing.
Our environment
The Older Women’s Network understands that the environment is not just a physical issue.
The environment is an all-embracing concept that influences, and is influenced by, economic, social, cultural and psychological factors such as housing, transport, health, social justice, education and the mass media.
Health
Health is more than just the absence of disease. Health also includes a personal sense of wellbeing.
Socio-economic, emotional, social, cultural and physical factors influence health and wellbeing.
The Older Women’s Network believes that priority must be given to the maintenance of health and the prevention of illness.
Violence and Abuse
The Older Women’s Network believes that freedom from violence and abuse is a basic human right.Violence and abuse includes:
- neglect
- physical assault
- psychological, emotional, and verbal abuse
- sexual assault and abuse
- financial and economic exploitation
- social abuse
HOME, COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL CARE
Discrimination
The Older Women’s Network is committed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination, but particularly discrimination based on age, gender and race.
Transport
Education
Older women learn and develop a wide range of skills throughout their lives. It is vital that older women have access to learning activities that enable them to keep pace with change, and are able to enhance their self-fulfilment and continue their contribution to community life.
Income security
The Older Women’s Network recognises that a majority of women throughout their lives are disadvantaged in making provisions for their financial security in later life. In addition, government policies can impact adversely on the incomes of older women. To maintain quality of life, health and wellbeing, it is vital that older women have a base rate of retirement income that is adequate to their needs.
Carers
The Older Women’s Network recognises the importance of ongoing support services that address a variety of needs and issues relevant to voluntary carers’ lifestyles and particular needs. These include adequate financial assistance, access to quality respite care, information, education and training, emotional support, and community involvement.
Housing
Our Work
See our principles in action.
Older Women’s Network NSW
The Older Women’s Network in NSW believes in a society rich in social capital, where mutual respect and trust are paramount, where diversity and debate are valued and where people and their networks have a legitimate voice.
CONTACT US
Older Women’s Network NSW
8-10 Victoria Street,
Newtown NSW 2042, Australia.
+61 – 2 – 9519 8044
Newsletter
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.
We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
OWN NSW supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the call for a First Nation's Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to oversee agreement-making and truth-telling.