In the framework of the “Empowerment of older women: preventing violence by challenging social norms in Serbia and Austria” (EmPreV) project, on Monday 9 March in the red Cross of Kragujevac, three focus groups discussions with women of different generations were organised. The goal of these discussions is to collect the information on the experiences older women had with elder abuse, but also to talk with middle aged and younger women about their attitudes to violence and elder abuse targeting older women, about the root causes and what, at different levels, may be done to prevent it.

The conclusion of the discussions in Kragujevac is that it is necessary to provide newest and complete information to older and all other women about what leads to abuse and how to recognise it, report it and get support, as well as that it is important that women, older women especially, receive education that will teach them about their inalienable human rights and how to protect then. It is very important to also work on improving the inclusion of older persons, especially older women in the life of the community and the society as social exclusion is closely related to the risk of abuse, as well as to ensure that older women participate in building an environment in which them and their peers will be protected from any sort of abuse and violence.

The project “Empowerment of older women: preventing violence by challenging social norms in Serbia and Austria” is financially supported by the European Union and Austrian Development Agency.