In April of this year, Wendy Cox and myself, two independent researchers, were asked to produce a case study describing the history and present situation of OWN Ireland. The research was initiated by OWN Europe who were interested in the establishment of OWN in Ireland as a model for other countries. The Irish organisation Age and Opportunity welcomed the chance to carry out the research in order to obtain the views of OWN members themselves on a wide range of issues.

The study looks at issues such as education, employment, pension rights and good health care. It considers how these have all been very different for this generation of older women in comparison to younger generations. We looked at how older women today have been influenced by the Irish state’s earlier insistence that the place of women was in the home.

The study highlights the coping skills of older women, and the traditions of self-help and informal organising for mutual support.

The present situation of Own 
Own members range in age from the early fifties to the late eighties, and include women from all walks of life and all parts of the country. There are almost 300 individual members and 50 affiliated groups around the country.

The challenges ahead

• To maintain momentum and the continuity of OWN.

• To employ a development worker who can provide a focal point for groups and members.

• To develop the OWN cross-Border project.

• To campaign on issues relevant to older women.

• To make sure that issues relating to older women are taken into consideration at all levels of Irish society.

How we did the study
We met Own groups in Cork and Cavan, the National OWN Steering Group and people in Age and Opportunity. We telephoned members and sent out questionnaires.

This was a very interesting experience for both of us as it was the first time we had carried out a piece of research involving older women. Travelling around the country meeting different groups and individuals gave us a valuable insight into the network but also gave us an understanding of the issues that affect older women. researcher.