’We want equality and recognition’, say 100 older women in new

Equal rights, good work and recognition of unpaid labour are some of the demands from a collective voice of 100 diverse Manchester women aged fifty-plus, following a research project involving experts from The University of Manchester. To coincide with International Women's Day on 8 March, the culmination of the five-year Uncertain Futures project will be unveiled at an immersive exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, featuring short films, layered visuals and voices, photography and an official 'manifesto for change'. 'Stories of Women, Work and Uncertain Futures' combines academic research by The University of Manchester and Manchester Met in partnership with Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester City Council with art and activism, and is the third and concluding exhibition in an immense collaborative project. At the centre are 100 women from Manchester's diverse communities who took part in in-depth interviews with researchers that revealed the inequalities faced by older women later in life in relation to work, gender, age, race, disability, and migration status. The researchers published their findings in a final report in December, and this latest concluding exhibition brings together elements of the project including creative co-curation from acclaimed US artist Suzanne Lacy, excerpts from the women's interviews brought to life in immersive form, and the official manifesto for change. Calling for a right to be treated equally, good work for all women, an economic contribution for the unpaid labour of women and participation in political decision making on issues affecting women over 50, the manifesto comprises four clear demands.