A wrap from FSC Empower Women Co-Chair Tracey Cross on the 'Breaking the cycle of financial insecurity for Kiwi women' networking events on 6 and 11 March 2025.
FSC's Empower Women were delighted to host Victoria Crockford, Project Director for the Coalition to End Women's Homelessness at our national networking events. Jane Wrightson joining Victoria in Wellington. Two passionate and purposeful wāhine!
The Coalition's report, issued last December, on 'Understanding Barriers and Solutions to women's Homelessness in Aotearoa' showed women:
- are over 50% of the homeless population in New Zealand;
- are unhoused, unnoticed and unsafe;
- with the over 55's being the fastest growing group of homeless; and
- with many 75 year old women living in cars.
As Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson highlighted, we need to break the cycle of women's financial insecurity with women living longer than men with a longer period to fund, living alone longer and suffering the consequences of the pay gender gap. Future state issues for the next generation of seniors expanding beyond savings inequities to senior housing (as discussed by Victoria) and the KiwiSaver debate.
The stories are real and confronting and must form part of our discussions, both within our industry and our organisations as we talk about the challenges that face women and the solutions.
The call to action - read the Coalition's report here, talk about it with your colleagues, raise awareness of the issues and join us in advocating for much needed change.
Tracey Cross
Co-Chair of FSC Empower Women Working Group
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