Silver Linings: Flipping the Script on Women and Ageing

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) is #BreakTheBias, imagining a gender-equal world free of stereotypes and discrimination.

On this IWD, we are thrilled to feature Faith Agugu, the founder of Silver Sirens, an inclusive community emboldening women to embrace the ageing process.

As she sat across from women in her Sydney therapy room, psychotherapist Faith Agugu was surprised the ‘midlife crises’ that had brought them to her were centered on their fear of ageing.

“I could see that these women had internalised the negative western narrative that surrounds women and ageing,” says Nigerian-born Agugu.

“The idea of thriving in midlife was foreign to them.”

Her patients shared their frustrations of feeling invisible, of the taboo and discomfort of menopause, the grief of having an ‘empty nest’, and the “fear that life had somehow passed them by”.

Agugu realised that her cultural lens on ageing differed greatly from those of many of her Western sisters. She was compelled to create Silver Sirens: Redefining Ageing, a platform for women to reimagine and rewrite the negative script on getting older.

“The idea that women become invisible or less relevant when they hit 50 has always

intrigued me,” Agugu says.

“Each story ignited the need to create a space where these women could find identification, acceptance and community.”

Agugu curates uplifting events where eclectic female speakers from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds tell their stories.

“It’s satisfying to see women come together to share their experience, strength and hope with each other, not to sell their products and services, but to connect and inspire,” she says. “That is very fulfilling for me.”

Since its conception in 2018, more than 2000 women have engaging in Silver Sirens’ events and more than 10,000 across its online platforms.

Agugu believes Silver Sirens has tapped into the need for an alternative model for women as they age.

“The idea that female ageing, once considered the ultimate disappearing act, could actually become a quest to find more authenticity, abundance, fulfilment and joy is a game changer for my generation of women, paving the way for the young women who will inherit our legacy.”

As we reflect on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Break The Bias’, Agugu says:

“As a woman of colour, I am accustomed to being marginalised.

“Living at the intersection of sexism, racism and ageism, I’ve found ageism has proved

to be the gentler of the three discriminators.

“I believe that woman have a big part to play in breaking the bias, in the way we support and champion each other and making a commitment to create space for each other to succeed.”

In this, Agugu is leading the way.

To find out more, visit the Silver Sirens website here.