100 older women demand equality and acknowledgement, in new initiative
Equal rights, fair employment, and acknowledgment of unpaid work are among the key demands of a united group of 100 diverse women over the age of fifty in Manchester. This comes after a study involving experts from The University of Manchester.
To mark International Women’s Day on 8th March, the final results of the five-year Uncertain Futures project will be showcased at an immersive exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery. The exhibition will feature short films, layered visuals, photography, and an official ‘manifesto for change’.
Titled ‘Stories of Women, Work and Uncertain Futures’, the exhibition combines academic research from The University of Manchester and Manchester Met with art and activism. It highlights the inequalities faced by older women in areas such as work, gender, age, race, disability, and migration status.
The final report was published in December, and the exhibition will bring together elements of the project including creative input from artist Suzanne Lacy and excerpts from women’s interviews.
The manifesto calls for equal treatment, fair employment opportunities, recognition of women’s unpaid work, and involvement in political decisions affecting women over fifty. It has garnered support from campaigns such as Real Living Work and the universal basic income campaign.
Dr Sarah Campbell, lead researcher on the project, hopes the exhibition will spark significant changes in how older women are perceived and treated. The project has already caught the attention of the United Nations and discussions are ongoing with Manchester City Council on how the findings will influence their future strategies.
The exhibition will also feature a powerful film by Suzanne Lacy, showcasing interviews conducted by Manchester Met researchers. For more information on the Uncertain Futures project and the exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, visit uncertainfuturesproject.co.uk.
