While most of the work of Panties with Purpose has been concentrated on supporting girls in school, we have from time to time worked with older women. The plight of the poor, aged woman, especially one who has a disability or an illness, is one that is not often talked about. Leave aside that she might be experiencing all the terrible symptoms of menopause, she is extremely vulnerable.
One time we had a session with a group of older women who had been pushed out of their family homes because they had HIV/AIDS. The community based organisation we were working with was helping them to come together to support each other and looking for ways they could assist in providing them basic necessities, food and shelter. Menopause was not discussed.
