On February 25, at the Spiritual Center of the Municipality of Athens, the non-profit organization People Behind is hosting a public event centered on the reality of violence against women over 60 years old — a truth that is both pervasive and systematically ignored. It highlights the need to address the issue of gender-based violence that often overlooks older women, as societal discussions typically focus on younger victims. The event aims to shed light on the lived experiences of these women, who frequently encounter emotional undervaluation, financial dependence, and abuse from partners, children, or caregivers, often escalating over time without recognition.

The campaign titled 'Invisible 60+' provokes an uncomfortable yet necessary question: why is society concerned with gender-based violence predominantly when the victims are younger? Women above 60 are not 'off-topic' or 'too old' to be victimized or to seek help. The prevalent narrative tends to render them invisible, as their abuse is often dismissed as a 'family matter' and their financial dependence normalized. Therefore, the silence surrounding their struggles is misinterpreted as acceptance or approval of their circumstances rather than a lack of support and acknowledgment.

Ultimately, the discussions intended by the event aim to not just confront these societal perceptions but to validate the experiences of elderly women facing violence. It is a call to action for society to broaden its understanding of gender-based violence and to ensure that older women are recognized and supported in their right to live free from domestic abuse and societal neglect.